Cytogenetic Testing of Miscarriage Products of Conception (POC)

What Is Cytogenetic Testing?

Cytogenetic testing looks at chromosomes in the pregnancy tissue. It can help find out if a chromosome problem caused the miscarriage.  Pregnancies are formed by the combination of an egg and a sperm.  This process is complicated and, if it randomly goes wrong, the pregnancy is genetically very abnormal.  Our bodies have evolved to detect these types of pregnancies and stop them early on, so we don’t grow these pregnancies (they would not survive).  Miscarriages are very common but not talked about (like abortion). If you are having a miscarriage for the first time, this is likely what went wrong and you generally don't need this test. Genetic testing can check if this is the cause of a recurrent miscarriage.

Why This Test May Be Done?

• You have had more than one miscarriage

• You’ve had ultrasound findings that show there may be genetic problems in the fetus

• You’ve had a previous genetic issue in a pregnancy

• Your doctor wants to check for chromosome changes for other risk factors you

  may have

• You want more information about why miscarriages are happening

How the Specimen Is Collected?

• When a miscarriage is extracted in a procedure called a dilatation and curettage (D&C), tissue from the pregnancy (products of conception) is placed in a clean container• The tissue must stay moist and should not be put in formalin

• The specimen is delivered to the lab as soon as possible

Who Can Order This Test?

• The test must be ordered by a gynecologist• Cytogenetic forms must be signed before the specimen is sent

• CWC can collect the specimen and deliver it to Mount Sinai Hospital, MSH (other hospitals may have this test available, but MSH is the closest to our clinic)

• CWC cannot order the test or sign the form, but we can collect and deliver the specimen for processing

Where to Get the Gynecologist Signature?

You can get signed cytogenetic forms through:

1. Mount Sinai Hospital Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAC)

2. Michael Garron Hospital Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAC)

(other EPAC centres may also be able to provide this signature.. these are the ones we know can do it)

Time for Results

• Results usually take 2 to 4 weeks

• Your gynecologist or our clinic will contact you when the results are ready

Link to Mount Sinai Hospital Cytogenetic Form

Mount Sinai Cytogenetic Test Form: (click on the text to left or copy below into your browser)

https://www.sinaihealth.ca/media/17576/download?inline

EPAC Contact Information

Mount Sinai Hospital EPAC

• Location:          Women’s Unit, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Building, 700 University Avenue, 8th floor

• Office Hours:   Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Phone:              416-586-4800 ext. 4621

• Fax:                  416-586-5941

Michael Garron Hospital EPAC

• Location:          825 Coxwell Ave., Toronto, ON, G2 WING

• Office Hours:   Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings by appointment.

• Phone:             416-469-6031

• Fax:                  416-469-6458

If you have questions, please speak with your healthcare provider or call our clinic BEFORE your appointment to set things up well, so your procedure doesn’t have to be delayed.