For people who want to know the paternity of their unborn child, similar to the standard paternity test, the prenatal test compares the baby’s DNA profile with that of the alleged father. Because the baby’s DNA is set at conception, the prenatal test gives the same conclusive results as the standard paternity test. The paternity of an unborn child can be determined utilizing the same laboratory methods used in conventional paternity testing.  Prenatal DNA from an unborn child is collected and compared to DNA from the mother and the alleged father, whose DNA is collected using conventional buccal swab techniques.  

Pre-Natal Collection

The prenatal DNA can be collected by a physician utilizing one of two techniques: amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS).  The type of sample collected will depend on the stage of pregnancy.  CVS is typically performed between the 10th and 12th weeks of pregnancy, while amniotic samples are collected between 12 and 21 weeks.

Amniocentesis is an invasive procedure that involves inserting a needle into the mother’s abdomen to withdraw a small amount of amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac which surrounds the developing fetus.  This procedure can lead to damage or loss of the baby in up to 1% of cases.  As a result, it is recommended that patients wait until the baby is born, unless they are already undergoing this procedure for medical reasons.

In general, a 10 ml sample of amniotic fluid is requested.  Samples can be collected in sterile non-preserved vials.  Samples collected prior to 18 weeks gestation may contain insufficient fetal DNA for analysis.

Chorionic villus sampling involves inserting a catheter through the cervix and removing portions of the chorionic villi. Chorionic villi are microscopic finger-like projections that emerge from the chorionic membrane and eventually form the placenta. The cells in the chorionic villi are of fetal origin, and thus have the same genetic composition as the baby. This procedure can lead to damage or loss of the baby.  As a result, it is recommended that patients wait until the baby is born, unless they are already undergoing this procedure for medical reasons.  Samples should be shipped frozen on dry ice to the laboratory via overnight courier.