How prenatal paternity DNA testing can protect a child
The importance of a DNA paternity test
When the paternity of an unborn child is uncertain, it can raise a variety of issues for the mother, wider family and the child themselves. Perhaps the most pressing concern is that of a custody arrangement; if no care plans are in place, mother and baby may have to stay longer in hospital, move homes frequently once they leave or even risk the baby being taken into the care system.
However, these measures can be prevented with a prenatal DNA test as once paternity is determined, legally imposed care plans and custody arrangements can be made. A prenatal paternity test also has a role to play when a mother has declared the father is a risk to their child as once legally defensible DNA test results have been issued, a child protection plan can confidently be put in place.
Ultimately, knowing who the father is before a child is born means a more stable and structured welcome to the world.
How does prenatal DNA testing work?
Previously, determining paternity prior to birth involved collecting amniotic fluid from the mother via a long needle, which was not only extremely invasive but also came with a risk of miscarriage. Thankfully, it is now industry standard to use next-generation sequencing, which is less invasive for the mother and only requires a cheek swab from the alleged father.
During pregnancy, foetal DNA can pass through the placenta into the mother’s blood stream. As both parents contribute their DNA to the foetus, the first stage in this type of paternity testing is to exclude the mother’s DNA profile. This means that the father’s half of the foetus DNA can be analysed. To do this, the mother gives a small blood sample from her arm to analyse the cell-free DNA.
The alleged father then submits a saliva sample and his DNA profile is compared against the DNA found in the mother’s blood sample. If there is a match, he will be identified as the biological father. A prenatal DNA test can be conducted after eight weeks of pregnancy, however, it cannot be undertaken on multiple pregnancies (e.g. twins). At Lextox, we’ve made significant improvements to our DNA testing service with results now being delivered within seven working days
Support after paternity is determined
We’ve long supported social workers and other family law practitioners with accurate and reliable prenatal testing so we’re well equipped to help at all stages of testing. In some cases, once paternity has been determined, the father may have restrictions placed on his access to his child, especially if he has substance and alcohol issues. In this instance, ongoing alcohol or drug abstinence monitoring can play a role in helping to keep the family unit together.
Our team of dedicated client managers have vast experience in all aspects of testing for family law and can advise on when to test, arrange collections and manage the whole testing process from start to finish, taking the hassle of out of the process. For more information, get in touch here.
By Ellie Rees
Marketing Communications Manager
Ellie joined Lextox in 2023 with a strong background in public sector communications, having worked on campaigns for Welsh Government, Devon County Council and the wellness to work sector. She is passionate about the work that Lextox does and creating content that breaks down a complex process into easy-to-understand formats for clients. Ellie graduated from Goldsmiths, University of London with a BA in Media and Communications and has written for several publications including The Student Guide, The Everyday Magazine and House 21.
