Prenatal Paternity Testing
Prenatal Paternity testing through the science of DNA analysis is useful in determining the identity of an unborn child’s father. In some circumstances such as when the mother is unsure who the father actually is, paternity tests can remove any doubt about the identity of an unborn child’s father. There are several options with the methodology of prenatal paternity testing available, depending on the circumstances of the pregnancy, the term which the pregnancy is in and the accuracy of the results required.
Only two prenatal tests are available with results that are currently legally acceptable in a United States court of law. These tests must be performed through an AABB accredited DNA testing lab. The term of the pregnancy determines which prenatal procedure is performed.
Prenatal tests are invasive procedures with potential to cause harm to the unborn fetus. The procedure for fetal DNA sample collection is one that must be performed by the OB-GYN in charge of care of the mother who will make the determination of the risks involved and if the procedure is safe Generally prenatal testing is usually performed between the tenth and the twenty fourth week of the pregnancy. The term of the pregnancy determines which prenatal procedure is performed. Chorionic villi or CVS sampling is performed between the weeks ten and thirteen and amino fluid sampling or amniocentesis is the procedure used between weeks fourteen and twenty four.
With CVS the OB-GYN guided by ultrasound obtains the sample through the cervix or the abdomen, this depends on which approach has the best access to the placenta. If the CVS is through the abdomen a long needle is inserted through the skin, muscle and uterine wall to remove the sample. If the sample is taken through the cervix a catheter is inserted and suction is applied to remove a sample from the placenta. For amino sampling Amniocentesis is performed again guided by ultrasound where a needle is inserted through the abdominal wall and into the sac of fluid around the baby and a small sample of fluid will be withdrawn.
The fetal DNA, along with the mother’s and alleged father(s) DNA (taken by lab certified technicians) samples are then sent to an AABB accredited DNA testing lab and compared to determine paternity. This method preserves the chain of custody for legal determination of paternity.
Other non-invasive methods though not recognized legally have been developed to determine paternity in prenatal cases. These are based on the idea that fetal DNA seeps into the mother’s bloodstream and can be isolated. The Fetal DNA is isolated from the mother’s blood and compared with the mothers and the alleged father(s) DNA. This method may be useful as an alternative to invasive prenatal paternity testing but as yet to be recognized by AABB accredited labs and as such is not legally accepted.
Open Question: Paternity Tests?????
I am almost positive that it is my boyfriends but there is a weeks difference between the two. no i didn’t cheat on anyone. i want to know about prenatal paternity tests. and if there are any that can be done without their knowledge.
Justice For All Fathers and Children
Fortunately, today, we do see more requests for prenatal paternity tests or tests on newborn children. many hospitals allow a two week period for adding a man’s name to a child’s birth certificate as the father, which is plenty of time.
Methods For Pre-Natal DNA Tests
Whether you can have a Prenatal DNA test done during your pregnancy depends on the method and time you choose for the DNA test.
Fetal Cell/DNA Prenatal Paternity Test
This prenatal paternity test uses only the mother’s blood – and samples from the alleged father(s) – to determine the paternity of the child as early as 13 weeks into the pregnancy. No blood is taken from the alleged father(s).
What About Prenatal DNA Testing?
This process is called prenatal dna paternity testing and may just be the dna test for you. this process does required an invasive procedure performed by the mother’s ob/gyn.
Methods for Pre-Natal DNA Tests
Whether you can have a Prenatal DNA test done during your pregnancy depends on the method and time you choose for the DNA test.
Mail this post