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--Parent of Signature patient
Prenatal Diagnosis Services
Signature Prenatal Service
Signature Genomic Laboratories accepts prenatal samples for Signature PrenatalChip® analysis, FISH analysis or concurrent karyotype analysis. Prenatal cases with the following indications may benefit from microarray analysis in conjunction with fetal karyotyping:
- Abnormal ultrasound findings
- Abnormal karyotype requiring molecular clarification
- Previous pregnancy with multiple anomalies of unknown etiology (and without previous microarray testing)
- History of multiple miscarriage or stillbirth of unknown cause (and without previous microarray testing)
- Advanced maternal age
- Abnormal maternal serum screen
- Other indications for which chromosome analysis is routinely performed on prenatal specimens
The Signature PrenatalChip® evaluates recognized genetic syndromes as well as subtelomeric and pericentromeric regions. Clinical loci for the Signature PrenatalChip® were selected by the cytogenetic experts at Signature Genomic Laboratories and are specifically designed to minimize the potential to detect chromosome structural alterations with unknown clinical relevance. (View regions assayed by the Signature PrenatalChip®)
A note of exception: In prenatal cases that present with clear clinical suspicion for a pregnancy with a structural chromosome abnormality diagnosable by microarray technology, such as cases with abnormal ultrasound findings or abnormal karyotype requiring molecular clarification, additional genomic regions not normally included in the PrenatalChip™; can be rapidly evaluated without impacting turnaround time to provide additional information that may contribute to diagnosis. The decision to evaluate at this level must be considered with the possibility of finding results of unclear clinical significance and will be made on a case-by-case basis by the Signature laboratory directors based upon the indication for study provided on the requisition form and/or documented discussion of the case between Signature's genetic counselors or directors with the health care provider. This approach can provide a higher-resolution analysis in certain cases, and Signature encourages this discussion with the health care provider prior to submitting a sample.
Testing and Sample Requirements
Please contact the laboratory at 509.474.6840 or 1.877.SigChip before sending a sample to discuss prenatal testing and sample requirements.
A completed Prenatal Requisition Form for the fetal sample and for each parent must accompany the samples.
Signature requests submission of samples from each parent at the time that the fetal sample is tested. Please see the Parental Testing Policy for details. Failure to submit parental samples may delay reporting of results and may impact full interpretation.