Products of Conception (POC) Karyotyping Reflex to FISH (5 Probes) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Products of Conception (POC) Karyotyping Reflex to FISH (5 Probes) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | POC Karyotyping with Reflex FISH, Products of Conception Chromosomal Analysis, Miscarriage Chromosome Test, POC Cytogenetics |
| Sample Type | Products of conception (placental tissue, chorionic villi, foetal membranes, umbilical cord) |
| Fasting Required | No – dietary preparation is not needed; the sample is foetal tissue, not a blood sample |
| Report Time | 8 days |
| Recommended For | Women and couples who have experienced a miscarriage, particularly those with recurrent pregnancy loss |
| Price | Starting at ₹6,500 |
What is a Products of Conception (POC) Karyotyping Reflex to FISH (5 Probes) Test?
The POC test is a genetic analysis performed on foetal and placental tissue collected after a pregnancy loss. It examines the chromosomes in that tissue to find out whether a chromosomal abnormality caused the miscarriage. The test combines two methods: karyotyping, which produces a full picture of the chromosomes, and FISH (Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation), which is used as a backup if the initial cell culture fails.
This test is also referred to as POC Karyotyping with Reflex FISH or the miscarriage chromosome test. The sample required is foetal tissue, not a blood draw from the patient.
What Does a Products of Conception (POC) Karyotyping Reflex to FISH (5 Probes) Test Measure?
This test examines the chromosomes in pregnancy tissue using two techniques. Here is what each component analyses:
| Component | What It Examines |
|---|---|
| Karyotype analysis | Total chromosome count, structure, and arrangement across all 46 chromosomes |
| FISH (5 Probe Panel) | Specific chromosomes 13, 16, 18, 21, 22, X, and Y for common numerical abnormalities |
| Reflex protocol | Automatically triggers FISH when cell culture fails or produces an unclear result |
| Maternal cell contamination check | Confirms the tissue analysed is foetal, not maternal, to avoid misdiagnosis |
A normal result shows 46 chromosomes (44 autosomes and 2 sex chromosomes). Any deviation from this may point to a chromosomal cause for the pregnancy loss.
Why is a Products of Conception (POC) Karyotyping Reflex to FISH (5 Probes) Test Done?
This test is requested when a couple needs to understand the cause of a pregnancy loss. Identifying a chromosomal reason can provide clarity and help guide decisions about future pregnancies.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
A doctor may recommend this test in the following situations:
- Unexplained pregnancy loss, whether spontaneous or managed
- Two or more previous miscarriages (recurrent pregnancy loss)
- Advanced maternal age, where chromosomal abnormalities are more frequent
- A previous pregnancy or child with a known chromosomal condition
- Pregnancy achieved through IVF or ICSI that ended in loss
- History of infertility with no identified cause
- Abnormal ultrasound findings noted before the pregnancy loss
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The POC test procedure can identify a range of chromosomal abnormalities commonly found in pregnancy loss:
- Trisomy 16 (most common, accounting for around 30% of all trisomies in early pregnancy loss)
- Monosomy X (Turner syndrome), where 90% of affected conceptions end in miscarriage
- Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), and trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)
- Triploidy (69 chromosomes) and tetraploidy (92 chromosomes), both incompatible with a sustained pregnancy
- Structural abnormalities, such as translocations, which may also be present in a parent's chromosomes
How to Prepare and What to Expect
Since the sample is tissue collected during or after a pregnancy loss, the preparation steps are different from a standard blood or urine test.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. The sample is foetal tissue, so dietary preparation does not apply.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following points will help ensure the sample reaches the laboratory in the best possible condition:
- Inform your doctor or gynaecologist that chromosomal testing of the tissue is required before the procedure begins.
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, previous test results, and family history, as this is required for the test.
- Bring your sonography (ultrasound) report, as this is required before the test can be processed.
- Do not place the tissue in formalin; the sample must be kept in normal saline with 2 drops of antibiotics in a sterile container.
- Keep the sample refrigerated (2 to 8°C) and arrange prompt transport to the laboratory.
- Ensure the sample size is adequate (15 to 30 mg of tissue, where possible).
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Following a pregnancy loss, foetal and placental tissue is collected during a surgical evacuation (D&C) or passed naturally.
- The healthcare team places the tissue into a sterile container with normal saline and 2 drops of antibiotics as soon as possible after collection.
- The sealed container is stored at 2 to 8°C and dispatched to the cytogenetics laboratory promptly.
- In the laboratory, cells from the tissue are cultured to produce chromosomes suitable for analysis. This culture phase takes approximately 10 to 14 days.
- If the culture succeeds, a full karyotype is prepared and examined for any chromosomal abnormalities.
- If the culture fails or the result shows a 46, XX pattern (which may indicate maternal cell contamination), the reflex FISH protocol is automatically triggered. FISH tests the tissue for the most common chromosomal changes without needing a successful cell culture.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
The following factors can influence whether a result is obtained and how reliable it is:
- Tissue viability, since older or poorly preserved samples are harder to culture
- Maternal cell contamination, which can mask foetal chromosomal findings
- Time elapsed since the pregnancy loss (fresher samples yield better results)
- Incorrect storage, such as placing tissue in formalin, which destroys cells
- Culture failure, which occurs in 10 to 40% of cases and is why the reflex FISH protocol exists
Understanding Your Products of Conception (POC) Karyotyping Reflex to FISH (5 Probes) Test Results
Results from this test require careful interpretation alongside your full clinical picture. A genetic counsellor or specialist will review the findings with you.
| Finding | Result Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 46,XX or 46,XY | Normal (euploid) | No chromosomal abnormality identified; loss may have a non-genetic cause |
| Extra chromosome (trisomy) | Abnormal | A chromosomal imbalance likely contributed to the pregnancy loss |
| Missing chromosome (monosomy) | Abnormal | A chromosomal imbalance likely contributed to the pregnancy loss |
| Triploidy or tetraploidy | Abnormal | An extra set of chromosomes; incompatible with a viable pregnancy |
| Structural rearrangement | Abnormal | May warrant parental chromosome testing to assess recurrence risk |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Tissue viability is one of the main limitations of this test. Reduced viability can account for up to 25% of cases where no chromosomal result is obtained. Culture failure rates of around 20% have been reported, which is precisely why the reflex FISH protocol is included.
Maternal age also affects findings. Studies show that chromosomal abnormalities are found in over 70% of pregnancy losses in women aged over 35, a noticeably higher rate than in younger age groups.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
Chromosomal abnormalities in pregnancy tissue are not caused by lifestyle factors, so these tips focus on steps after receiving your results:
- Seek genetic counselling to understand your results and what they mean for future pregnancies.
- Discuss preconception care with your doctor, including management of any underlying health conditions.
- Follow your doctor's guidance on timing and preparation for any future pregnancy attempts.
Lupin Diagnostics Products of Conception (POC) Karyotyping Reflex to FISH (5 Probes) Test Price and Home Collection
The POC test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹6,500. Home collection coordination is available to support the transport of properly preserved tissue samples to the laboratory.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 6500 |
| CHENNAI | 9000 |
| HYDERABAD | 6500 |
| KOLKATA | 6500 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 6500 |
| PUNE | 6500 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection coordination by a certified professional, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home collection support across cities to coordinate the transport of your tissue sample to the laboratory. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories by experienced cytogenetics specialists. Digital reports are made accessible once results are ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a genetic test performed on tissue from a pregnancy loss. It checks for chromosomal abnormalities that may have caused the miscarriage. If the initial cell culture does not succeed, a rapid FISH test targeting key chromosomes (13, 16, 18, 21, 22, X, and Y) is automatically carried out on uncultured cells.
Around 50% of early miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities. This POC test helps confirm whether a chromosomal problem was the cause, which can provide answers and help couples plan future pregnancies with better information.
The sample comes from foetal and placental tissue collected during a surgical evacuation (D&C) or passed naturally during a miscarriage. No separate invasive procedure on the patient is needed for this test.
Cell culture for karyotyping fails in 10 to 40% of cases. The "reflex" protocol means FISH analysis is automatically performed when this happens, so a result can still be obtained from uncultured tissue. FISH can detect the most common chromosomal changes within 24 to 48 hours.
A normal (euploid) result means no chromosomal abnormality was found in the tissue. In this case, other possible causes, such as hormonal, anatomical, or immunological factors, may need to be investigated with your doctor.
Yes. A sonography report is required before this test can be processed. Please bring your most recent ultrasound report when arranging the sample collection or submitting the request.
Products of Conception (POC) Karyotyping Reflex to FISH (5 Probes) Test: Booking, Price, and Results
