| Web: | mayocliniclabs.com |
|---|---|
| Email: | mcl@mayo.edu |
| Telephone: | 800-533-1710 |
| International: | +1 855-379-3115 |
| Values are valid only on day of printing | |
| Web: | mayocliniclabs.com |
|---|---|
| Email: | mcl@mayo.edu |
| Telephone: | 800-533-1710 |
| International: | +1 855-379-3115 |
| Values are valid only on day of printing | |
In instances of pregnancy loss or fetal death, we offer analysis for chromosomal changes on several different specimen types, including paraffin-embedded tissue, to determine causes and risk of recurrence for future pregnancies.
Pregnancy loss Test menu
Key testing
Frequently asked questions about chromosomal microarray analysis
Why is chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) recommended at Mayo Clinic for products of conception (POC) testing in place of traditional chromosome analysis (karyotype)?
Will chromosome rearrangements (e.g., translocations) be detected by CMA?
CMA can only reveal the relative copy-number states of chromosomes and genomic segments, not their location. As such, structural abnormalities generating unbalanced rearrangements can only be inferred from CMA results, and balanced translocations with no associated imbalance are undetectable. Due to this limitation, our laboratory practice is to establish a limited culture from each fresh tissue POC ordered for CMA. Whenever a CMA result requires structural context for appropriate clinical guidance or parental follow-up, a limited karyotype analysis is provided at no additional charge. For example, all acrocentric aneuploidy results (chromosomes 13, 14, 15, 21, and 22) are examined by karyotype to identify a Robertsonian translocation in the fetus that may have parental recurrence risk implications. Importantly, this additional testing is not possible when paraffin-embedded samples are tested or when the fresh tissue sample does not yield a viable culture.
Will mosaic abnormalities be detected by CMA?
Mosaic abnormalities are detected by CMA with a comparable sensitivity to karyotype (in our experience, ranging from about 10% to 15% for mosaic trisomy/monosomy to about 50% for smaller, focal imbalances).
Will CMA testing reveal genomic findings of uncertain significance?
Our laboratory strives to return only clinically relevant results with clear interpretations of all reported findings. However, it is the nature of any whole-genome test to occasionally reveal novel findings for which an unambiguous assessment of clinical significance is not possible. To minimize the return of results of uncertain clinical significance, our laboratory policy is to:
With these reporting rules, less than 2% of our CMA reports for products of conception testing have uncertain clinical interpretations. When such findings are reported, parental testing may be offered at no additional charge to help inform the clinical significance.
Are parental blood samples necessary for CMA testing of products of conception?
Ideally, a maternal sample should be submitted concurrently with the products of the conception sample. Maternal blood samples are used for maternal cell contamination studies to ensure that the results obtained are reflective of the fetus and not maternal tissues. Parental blood samples are occasionally requested to clarify the results of CMA testing. In the event of an uncertain finding (less than 2% of cases), parental blood samples may be requested to help clarify the clinical significance of the finding. There is no additional charge for this parental analysis.
What is the value of microarray for products of conception following prenatal screening?
Prenatal screening tests (via maternal serum screening or noninvasive/cell-free DNA screening) are not diagnostic assays and only reveal increased risks for specific aneuploidies or chromosome abnormalities. Regardless of methodology, a prior normal prenatal screening result does not exclude a cytogenetic basis for the pregnancy loss that may be revealed by CMA testing. Similarly, CMA will provide diagnostic confirmation for screen-positive pregnancies. In straightforward cases, CMA will confirm or exclude the suspected aneuploidy or chromosome abnormality. CMA may also demonstrate a more complex finding not anticipated by the screening test result, which may inform the likelihood of a parental rearrangement with reproductive risk.
What are the available CMA tests for products of conception testing?
If testing will not be ordered immediately, what options are available?
Because fresh tissue samples submitted for CMA testing (Mayo ID: CMAPC) are processed immediately with DNA isolation and tissue culture, delays cannot be accommodated. However, CMA can be performed on paraffin-embedded tissue (Mayo ID: CMAMT). This sample type will remain stable without compromising the quality of the testing results.
Is insurance preauthorization available through Mayo Clinic Laboratories (MCL)?
MCL does not offer insurance preauthorization services on CMA testing. However, clients may wish to determine insurance coverage prior to ordering and sending specimens.
What professional guidelines and published studies are available to support the use of CMA for the cytogenetic evaluation of products of conception?
There are numerous references, literature, and clinical studies available to support the use of CMA for POC specimens. The most informative references are: