Karyotyping, Cord Blood Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Karyotyping, Cord Blood Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Chromosome analysis (cord blood), Cord blood chromosome analysis, Cytogenetic analysis, G-banded karyotype (cord blood) |
| Sample Type | Umbilical cord blood (sodium heparin tube) |
| Fasting Required | No |
| Report Time | 10 days |
| Recommended For | Newborns with suspected chromosomal abnormalities, congenital anomalies, or dysmorphic features; babies born via assisted reproductive technology (ART) |
| Price | Starting at ₹3,200 |
What Is a Karyotyping, Cord Blood Test?
A karyotyping, cord blood test is a chromosome analysis performed on blood collected from a newborn's umbilical cord immediately after delivery. It examines the baby's chromosomes to detect numerical or structural abnormalities. The test is also known as cord blood chromosome analysis or cytogenetic analysis. Doctors order it when a newborn shows signs of a possible chromosomal condition or when there is a clinical reason to examine the baby's genetic make-up shortly after birth.
What Does a Karyotyping, Cord Blood Test Measure?
This test analyses the complete set of chromosomes present in the baby's cord blood cells. It assesses the following:
| Component | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Chromosome number | Whether the baby has the normal count of 46 chromosomes arranged in 23 pairs |
| Chromosome structure | Presence of deletions, duplications, translocations, or inversions |
| Sex chromosomes | Genetic sex based on XX (female) or XY (male) pattern |
| Banding patterns | Unique stripe-like patterns on each chromosome pair that help identify subtle changes |
Why Is a Karyotyping, Cord Blood Test Done?
This test is requested when there is a clinical reason to examine a newborn's chromosomes shortly after birth.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may recommend this test when a newborn or child shows one or more of the following signs:
- Dysmorphic features (unusual physical features present from birth)
- Ambiguous or indeterminate genitalia
- Multiple congenital abnormalities (structural problems present at birth)
- Neonatal or fetal death with suspected chromosomal cause
- Developmental delay identified early in life
- Suspected sex chromosome abnormality based on clinical findings
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The karyotyping test can help identify several chromosomal conditions, including:
- Down syndrome (trisomy 21): the most common chromosomal aneuploidy, caused by an extra chromosome 21
- Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18): an extra chromosome 18, associated with serious health problems
- Patau syndrome (trisomy 13): an extra chromosome 13, linked to heart problems and severe developmental impairment
- Turner syndrome: a female with one missing or partial X chromosome
- Klinefelter syndrome: a male with an extra X chromosome (XXY pattern)
- Structural changes such as chromosomal translocations, deletions, or inversions
How to Prepare and What to Expect
There is no special preparation required for this test, as the sample is collected by medical staff during delivery. However, a few important points apply.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. The cord blood sample is collected from the baby's umbilical cord immediately after birth, so no preparation on the part of the parents or baby is needed.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following points will help ensure the process goes smoothly:
- Bring a detailed clinical history including symptoms, previous test results, and any relevant family history, as this is required for the test
- A PNDT Consent Form must be completed before the test is processed; confirm this with your doctor or the diagnostic centre in advance
- Inform your doctor of any recent blood transfusions, as these may affect results
- Ensure the cord blood is delivered to the laboratory promptly after collection; delays can affect cell culture success
Step-by-Step Procedure
The cord blood collection and analysis follows these steps:
- After the baby is born and the umbilical cord is clamped and cut, a trained healthcare professional cleans the cord with an antiseptic solution.
- A needle is inserted into one of the cord's veins, and approximately 3 ml of blood is collected into a sodium heparin (green-top) tube.
- The sample is labelled and stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius for refrigerated transport to the laboratory.
- In the cytogenetics laboratory, technicians culture the cord blood cells and prepare chromosome slides using the Giemsa (G-banding) technique.
- A trained cytogeneticist examines chromosomes from approximately 20 cultured cells under a microscope.
- A detailed report is generated and dispatched, typically within 10 days.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Certain factors may influence the reliability of the karyotyping, cord blood results:
- Delayed sample transport or poor sample quality can reduce the success of cell culture
- Maternal blood contamination of the cord blood sample may affect the analysis
- Very small chromosomal changes (smaller than 5 to 10 Mb) may not be detectable by this method
- Recent chemotherapy in the baby's biological history may cause chromosome breaks that interfere with results
- Mosaicism (where two different cell lines coexist) may not always be fully detected
Understanding Your Karyotyping, Cord Blood Test Results
Results are reported as a chromosomal notation. Below are the standard reference findings used in interpretation:
| Finding | Normal Range | Notation |
|---|---|---|
| Female karyotype | 44 autosomes plus 2 X chromosomes | 46,XX |
| Male karyotype | 44 autosomes plus 1 X and 1 Y chromosome | 46,XY |
A normal result means the baby has 46 chromosomes with no detectable structural abnormalities. An abnormal result may indicate conditions such as Down syndrome (47 chromosomes with an extra chromosome 21), Edwards syndrome, Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, or structural changes like translocations or deletions.
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your child's age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain circumstances can affect how results are read:
- Mosaicism: some babies have two different cell populations with different chromosomal make-up. This occurs due to early changes in fetal development and may require additional testing to fully characterise.
- Recent transfusions: if the baby has received a blood transfusion, results may be affected. Discuss timing with your doctor before proceeding.
- Chemotherapy exposure: prior chemotherapy can cause chromosome breaks that may alter the appearance of a standard karyotype.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
Chromosomal make-up is fixed at conception and cannot be changed. However, the following steps support informed care:
- Seek genetic counselling before and after testing to understand what the results mean for your family
- If the result is abnormal, consult a clinical geneticist or genetic counsellor to discuss next steps and care planning
- Early detection through the karyotyping test allows families and healthcare teams to plan appropriate medical support promptly
Lupin Diagnostics Karyotyping, Cord Blood Test Price
The karyotyping, cord blood test is priced starting at ₹3,200 at Lupin Diagnostics. This test requires a visit to a Lupin Diagnostics centre or must be arranged through a hospital setting; home collection is not available for this test.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 3200 |
| CHENNAI | 3200 |
| HYDERABAD | 3200 |
| KOLKATA | 3200 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 3200 |
| PUNE | 3200 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Follow these steps to book your test:
- Select the karyotyping, cord blood test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred centre location.
- Visit the centre at your scheduled time, or coordinate with your delivery hospital to ensure cord blood collection is arranged in advance.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within 10 days of sample receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
The karyotyping, cord blood test analyses the chromosomes of a newborn using blood collected from the umbilical cord at birth. It is used to identify numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities, such as extra chromosomes, missing chromosomes, or structural rearrangements.
Cord blood is collected at the time of delivery, making it easily accessible without requiring a separate blood draw from the baby. The collection is non-invasive and painless, and the sample contains foetal cells that are suitable for chromosome culture and analysis.
The report is typically ready within 10 days. This time is needed to culture the cells, prepare chromosome slides, and carry out a thorough analysis by a cytogeneticist.
A PNDT Consent Form and a detailed clinical history are both required before this test can be processed. Please ensure these are arranged through your doctor or the diagnostic centre before the sample is submitted.
No. The cord blood must be collected in a hospital setting immediately after delivery, using sterile technique and the correct collection tube. The sample must also be transported to the laboratory promptly, making home collection unsuitable for this test.
An abnormal result means a chromosomal difference has been detected. Your doctor will refer you to a clinical geneticist or genetic counsellor, who will explain the findings in detail and discuss possible next steps for your baby's care.
A karyotype can confirm the presence of a chromosomal change with a high degree of accuracy. However, the clinical impact of that change varies. A genetic counsellor and your paediatrician will interpret the result in the context of your baby's overall health and guide you on what the findings mean in practice.
Karyotyping, Cord Blood Test: Booking, Price, and Results
