The HEALTH : November 2018 | Page 18

18 column The HEALTH | NOVEMBER, 2018 Abnormalities in pregnancy Method allows for parents to identify existing abnormalities such as thalassemia and Down syndrome F OUNDED 11 years back in 2007, DNA Labora- tories started off as a molecular diagnostic testing better known as genetic coding. “This method allows us to identify existing abnormalities or diseases such as thalassemia, Down syndrome or in some instances when the baby isn’t developed well,” said DNA Lab chief technical officer Dr Wong Yong Wee. The abnormalities are detected by testing the amount of DNA contained in our nucleus in any cell which can be found in our urine, hair, stool and even saliva. Over the years, DNA testing has come to light as an important part of fertility. “The common area that needs the application of DNA tests are usually forensics, pediatrics and obstetrics. However over the years, my job found its way benefitting couples who go through fertility issues.” Instances where the test would be required is when couples go through the pre-natal stage. If they were to suspect they have relatives who are affected by certain diseases or even if one of them were to have a disease, the concern that the baby could potentially suffer from the same disease becomes the reason. Parents would also resort to testing their second child if their first off- spring was diagnosed with a disease after birth. DR WONG YONG WEE CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER AT DNA LAB Test to aid couples sort fertility issues D NA Lab offers a number of tests to couples to help them resolve their fertility issues. Among them are: Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) “One of the most common reasons for an unsuccessful in-vitro fertili- sation (IVF) or why miscarriages occur, is because of the chromo- somal abnormalities in the embryo. One of the test offered by DNA Lab is the Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) which refers to aneuploidy screening of embryos prior to transfer. A small amount of cells collected from the embryo will be amplified, sequenced and analysed to whether the chromo- somes are normal in embryos,” said DNA Lab’s chief technical officer Dr Wong Yong Wee. PGS screens each eggs individu- ally and detects embryos that are chromosomally abnormal, allow- ing the option of choosing the “best” embryos of implantation. “The test helps to reduce miscarriages and thus improve the outcome of embryos implanta- tion in IVF leading to successful pregnancy.” Chromosomal microarray analysis With chromosomal abnormalities being the main cause of miscar- riage, congenital anomalies, dysmorphic features and many other disorders, the Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA) is a high resolution detection method in genetic testing for a large number of chromosome abnor- malities that cannot be detected by conventional cytogenetic analysis. The test may be performed at different stages such as prenatal, postnatal and pregnancy loss. The analysis when done at the prenatal stage can detect prenatal aneuploidies related to fetal struc- ture abnormalities, familial history DNA Laboratories Sdn Bhd located in Bangi. One of the test offered by DNA Lab is the Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening (PGS) which refers to aneuploidy screening of embryos prior to transfer. of congenital abnormality and familial history of multiple miscar- riages. As for the postnatal stage, it assists in detecting the number of aberrations such as autism spec- trum disorders, seizures and also developmental delay. The analysis also offers patients who wishes to know the cause of miscarriage and stillbirth. Non-invasive chromosomes check (NICC) DNA Laboratories Sdn Bhd (DNA LAB) is a leading provider of genetic screening and molecular diagnostic services and products in Malaysia. NICC is a simple, safe, non-invasive prenatal test which tells you the risk for common chromosomal abnormalities as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy. Using the latest Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology, NICC offers a highly accurate screening for the three most common trisomy with sensitivity and specificity of over 99 per cent. It also helps to detect abnormalities such as Down syndrome, Edwards Syndrome and Patau Syndrome. The test can be done without using a needle. The blood extracted from the mother will then undergo a high accuracy screening test and the screening takes place from the 11 to 16 week of pregnancy. Pathology Act Wong emphasised on the need for quality. With the Pathology Act currently governing the quality of these test, he said that the act requires for labs to only use quali- fied machines that will also require regular maintenance. Meanwhile, he urged patients to know if the labs that run the tests are ISO accredited as it is also important that the labs are usually independent as they will not be influenced. Patients who are seeking for the tests have to go through their doctors in order to request for the tests. This is due to the fact that the Pathology Act requires all requests to come from a certified medical personnel and counselling is very much needed for the patients in order to prepare them for the consequences.