All you would like to know about New Born Genetic Testing

1. What is the Newborn Genetic Testing ?
Newborn Genetic Testing test is done for babies to test for serious genetic disorders which may manifest in future. The test is usually performed when your baby is 48+ hours old. Ideally, the test should be done as early in life as possible.

2. Why is the test done?
The test is done to ensure a healthy life for your baby. The test helps find out if your baby has a disease or condition for which early treatment can be done and hence severe outcomes can be averted. Most of the disorders covered by this testing cause an irreversible damage. A preventive therapy is the best way to restore normalcy. This should be possible if only testing test is done in newborn / infant stage.

3. We are healthy and even our family does not have a history of these disorders. Should we still do this test? Parents who have no family history of problems and/or who have already had healthy children can still have a child with these disorders. In fact, most children with these disorders come from families with no previous history of the condition. Parents could be just the ‘carriers’ and are likely to pass on the disorders without being aware of the same.

4. If my baby is looking healthy, why should I go for testing?
Most babies look and act normal and seem perfectly healthy at time of birth or in early stage of life. However, there may be deep rooted genetic metabolic abnormalities, which may manifest in future, leading to irreversible damage like mental and physical retardation. The newborn genetic testing test helps your doctor identify if there is any problem with your baby before it gets critical. Most babies, who are diagnosed and treated early, do well. The earlier a disorder is detected, the higher the chance of having a good prognosis

5. What disorders are tested by New born Genetic testing?
Genetic testing is performed to test your newborn for over 100 disorders (List of disorders). These disorders, if left unattended, may result in serious conditions like mental retardation, learning difficulties, speech problems, epilepsy, heart ailments and kidney problems.

6. In case my baby is tested positive for a disorder, what are the treatments available?
Your doctor, in consultation with LifeCell can easily implement suitable treatment? Depending on the diagnosed disorder, medication, diet restrictions an early therapy may restore the near normalcy for the baby.

7. There are so many preventive services available like vaccines, why should I consider New Born Genetic testing?
The importance of genetic testing is apparent in a fact that unlike many vaccines, governments across the world have made genetic testing a mandatory practice.

8. Can I interpret the new born genetic testing results?
The reports are comprehensive, but the final result of testing is simple to be understood by parents. If your baby has been tested negative for all disorders, you may sit back and happily see your baby grow healthy. And in case your baby is tested positive for disorder(s), you will immediately be guided by LifeCell experts about the closest hospital / doctor wherein you can get the treatment initiated.