VERAgene - genetic prenatal test

Note!

Patients taking the Veragene test at Synevo collection centers may not report for a blood draw until at least three business days after the order has been made and paid for.

At that time, a referral must be filled out, which must be signed by a doctor. If a patient reports to the Synevo collection center without a referral signed by a doctor, Synevo staff will not be able to collect the material and perform the Veragene test.

What is VERAgene NIPT?

VERAgene is the first such comprehensive, non-invasive prenatal screening test (NIPT) for aneuploidies, microdeletions and point mutations. The genetic abnormalities that the test detects carry serious consequences, often affecting quality of life. Their early detection is an opportunity to prepare for a child with special needs. The test is safe, with no risk to the pregnant woman or the fetus. VERAgene detects 2,000 gene mutations responsible for metabolic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria and blood diseases - sickle cell anemia, among others.

The test is suitable for singleton and twin pregnancies, as well as in disappearing twin syndrome.

What genetic diseases does VERAgene detect?

The test can detect a very broad spectrum of disorders, among them are microdeletions, aneuploidies and monogenic diseases. Among the most common of these are:

Aneuploidies:

• Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
• Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18)
• Patau syndrome (trisomy 13)
• Turner syndrome (monosomy X)
• Klinefelter syndrome (XXY)
• Jacobs syndrome

Aneuploidy is one type of mutation. It refers to a change in the number of chromosomes in fetal cells. In the case of trisomy, the fetal cells receive an extra chormosome, or third copy. In the case of monosomy, the cells have only one copy of a chromosome.
 

Microdeletions:

• DiGeorge band
• Smith-Magens band
• Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome
• 1p36 deletion syndrome

Microdeletion is the absence of a very small part of a chromosome. While some microdeletions have little effect on a child's health and life, there are some that can cause mental disabilities and birth defects. Microdeletions occur during pregnancies with the same frequency regardless of the mother's age, so the young age of the mother does not reduce the incidence of microdeletions; the risk is similar for children born to women in their 20s and 40s.

Monogenic diseases

• Cystic fibrosis
• Plasma-acanthocytosis
• Phenylketonuria
• Sickle cell anemia
• Artrogryposis, mental retardation and seizures

VERAgene how is it different from other prenatal tests?

The listed disorders differ from each other in symptoms, prognosis, etc. in case of their diagnosis, it is advisable to visit a specialist, who will explain what action should be taken and what methods of treatment or therapy are available for children affected by a particular genetic defect.

At the Damian Medical Center, in case of a high-risk result, you will receive:

•   a free consultation with a clinical geneticist,
•   a free consultation with a MindHealth psychologist.

Veragene tests at Medicover Hospital

After purchasing, please go to the hospital reception and then to the midwife's office. Make an appointment for a sample collection from Monday to Thursday (08:00–20:00). A referral can be completed with the medical staff on the premises. A referral issued and signed by a doctor is not required.

The results of the tests performed at Medicover Hospital can be sent to the patient either by e-mail or in printed form. After the tests, patients should come to the reception at Medicover Hospital to find out how to collect their results.

If there is a high risk of the disease developing, the midwife will contact the patient.