Alfigen/The Genetics Institute Offers First Trimester Prenatal Screening Test; New Test Decreases Waiting Time and Has a Higher Detection Rate Than Alternative Tests.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

PASADENA, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Oct. 16, 2001

Alfigen/The Genetics Institute, one of the largest private clinical genetics laboratories in the country, announced that First Trimester Prenatal Screening has been added to its laboratory services.

This screening test, for women between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy, helps detect Down syndrome and trisomy 18 and serves as an alternative to the commonly used Triple Marker Screening test that is performed during the second trimester (between 15 and 20 weeks) of pregnancy.

Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal abnormality, affecting about one in every 800 newborns. Trisomy 18 is associated with severe birth defects and mental retardation. The chance to have a pregnancy affected with Down syndrome or trisomy 18 increases with increased maternal age. Women age 35 years and older are more likely to have a child affected with Down syndrome or trisomy 18.

"One of the main advantages of this screening test is that parents can receive genetic information about their fetus earlier in the pregnancy, thereby decreasing waiting time and lessening parental anxiety," said Jin-Chen Wang, M.D., Medical Director and Laboratory Director, Alfigen/The Genetics Institute. "If the result shows an increased risk, it allows for more time for further diagnostic tests and more options for subsequent pregnancy management."

The First Trimester Prenatal Screening test combines the use of an ultrasound examination and a blood test. The ultrasound measures the amount of fluid accumulation behind the neck of the fetus (nuchal translucency), while the blood test measures the levels of free beta-hCG (free beta-human chorionic gonadotropin) and PAPP-A (pregnancy associated plasma protein-A).

The results are used to determine a specific risk that the pregnancy may be affected by Down syndrome or trisomy 18. The First Trimester Prenatal Screening test detects approximately 90% of the fetuses affected by Down syndrome and trisomy 18, higher than the second trimester triple marker screening's detection rate of 60-65%.

Alfigen/The Genetics Institute was founded in 1981 by Omar S. Alfi, M.D., as the first private full service cytogenetics laboratory in the country. It has since grown tremendously both in specimen volume and scope of services to become one of the largest independent genetics laboratories serving the medical community nationally and internationally.

The state-of-the-art laboratory offers a full range of complex genetic tests, including cytogenetics (prenatal, postnatal, cancer), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), molecular diagnostics, clinical chemistry, and flow cytometry.

The mission -- to provide the highest quality and standards in clinical genetic services with efficient turn around time, cost-effective pricing, and personalized service -- is reflected in all aspects of the company's work. Alfigen's success is based on its commitment to quality and dedication to building long-term relationships with its clients. For more information, visit www.alfigen.com.