Prenatal testing
Prenatal Screening (FTS/MSS) |
Prenatal screening services in our region are offered by Mount Sinai Hospital (MSH) Toronto. Blood samples and requisitions with nuchal translucency measurements are sent to Toronto for analysis. The MSH requisition is required to order testing. MSH Toronto offers First Trimester Screening (FTS). Earlier screening results allow a woman with a positive screen to access genetic counselling and/or non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as a secondary screen or diagnostic testing sooner in her pregnancy. Integrated Prenatal Screening (IPS) is no longer available. Maternal Serum Screening (2nd trimester) continues to be available for patients presenting to care at later gestations. If your patient receives a positive prenatal screening result and would like an appointment in the Prenatal Genetics Clinic at CHEO, you must refer her to the Genetics Clinic. For more information on prenatal screening in Ontario, please see Prenatal Screening Ontario. For more information on prenatal screening in Quebec, please see the Quebec prenatal screening program. |
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) |
For more information on NIPT, please visit our Genetics Education site, GEC-KO. |
Prenatal testing guide for women |
A detailed guide to understanding prenatal tests is available from our Genetics Education site, GEC-KO |
Advanced maternal age (AMA) |
Prenatal genetic counselling for advanced maternal age (AMA) has been discontinued
Why the change?
Please continue to refer:
Helpful tips:
New patient resourceA Guide to Understanding Prenatal Screening Tests is a new, comprehensive and updated guide on prenatal screening published in March 2017 for patients and their providers that can be referred to throughout the screening process. This guide was written by a multidisciplinary team and informed by input from new parents. Copies can be viewed online or printed from: Genetics Education > Public Resources > Prenatal and Preconception Genetics. The Quebec prenatal screening program published the Guide informationnel destiné aux professionnels de la santé (french only) and a pamphlet for patients in 2020. The pamphlet present all the information on the Québec Prenatal Screening Program to help pregnant women and couples to make a informed decision to whether or not they want to participate. |