For detecting the missing or any defective gene, genetic testing is prescribed by medical doctors. It also helps to determine if a person, his family member have any type of medical condition. Normally smaller blood samples of somebody tissues are taken for analysis purposes. For the said purpose, somebody fluids or tissues are also used. The type of genetic testing done for analysis purpose depends upon the kind of conditions a doctor intends to study.

For gene testing of children and adults, you may find out more here.

Types of Genetic Testing in Pregnancy

Before the birth of a child, genetic testing in Singapore is done for a pregnant woman to find out the presence of any disorder in a child. In case of any issue with the screening of the blood sample, a medical specialist might advise having a chorionic villus sample or sometimes amniocentesis as well. During going further, we need to know about both tests:

CVS, i.e., Chorionic villus sampling:

This test is done between 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy. For the said purpose, a smaller piece of the placenta is taken to check the presence of any abnormality in the fetus. Due to the invasive nature of this testing, there are also chances of miscarriages, this doctor needs to be careful.

Amniocentesis:

This test is done between 15 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. The smaller needle is inserted via the women’s abdomen to take a sample of amniotic fluids of the under-develop fetus. This fluid is then checked to see the presence of any abnormal tissue. The same can also be used to know the gender of a child. In case of any probability of premature delivery, and amniotic fluid test can help in diagnosis the maturity of the baby’s lungs. The amniocentesis test is a bit safer than CVS testing as far as the probability of miscarriages is concerned.

What do Doctors have to say about Genetic Testing?

Doctors sometimes ask for gene tests in Singapore when they fear the presence of any issue with the baby. There are certain cases in which the tests are advised:

When the woman is 34 and above and Pregnant:

There are ample chances of the baby developing genetic issue if she is older than 34 years of age and pregnant as well. At the same time, Kids of the older father are also at increased risk of developing any genetic disorder. Thus, doctors advise test to find the background of the disease.

Prenatal screening tests:

If the prenatal screening tests show some signs of problems or variations, the doctor then ask for genetic testing to analyse the actual issue.

If any parent is having an inherited illness:

Sometimes one of the couples gets some inherited illness which is likely to affect the genetic makeup of the newborn. It happens when some of the genes are receptive. Because individual never show any symptom associated with such illness but that has very capability to impact the genetic make-up of a newborn.

If one child is already infected with any birth defect:

Sometimes couple before planning a second or third child needs to be screened for the genetic issue. It is crucial when their already child is infected with any birth disorder.

If a woman has had miscarriages, then gene testing is advised by the doctor to check what measures could be taken to avoid future reoccurrence.

Pregnant women are prone to many diseases being vulnerable. She needs to regularly visit a doctor for follow up. In case of any issue with the fetus, the doctor may advise some testing that should be done at priority.