Is Prenatal DNA Testing Feasible?

Doubts regarding paternity can emerge early in a pregnancy, long before physical traits of the child become apparent. Requests for fetal DNA testing may come from either parent, with the aim to either establish or contest paternity. Such procedures require the consent of the expectant mother.

With advancements in medical science, conducting DNA tests during pregnancy is now a reality. Laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art technology and in-depth scientific expertise can perform prenatal paternity tests.

This advancement marks a significant leap forward. Previously, paternity could only be determined post-birth. Currently, a non-invasive blood test from the mother, which does not require amniocentesis, can reveal paternity with high reliability. This method is safe for the fetus, as fetal DNA can be detected in the mother's bloodstream from the 12th week of amenorrhea, meaning the test is viable from the second trimester onward.

Additionally, there are other, more invasive techniques, such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis. CVS involves a biopsy of the chorionic villi via the cervix during the 10th to 12th weeks of gestation, while amniocentesis is performed between the 14th and 16th weeks. Though these methods can provide early detection of genetic anomalies or infections, they carry a slight risk of complications like miscarriage, infection, or harm to the fetus and are generally reserved for specific medical diagnostics.