Introduction
Paternity testing is the process of defining who the father of a child is. Paternity testing can be done both before and after the birth of a child, and has become an essential part of determining child support issues, inheritance and other social benefits to help support the child. Paternal testing is a form of DNA testing. The paternity test looks for specific genetic markers that are similar between the father and the child, which denote that the two are closely related.
Amniocentesis
One of the most common forms of paternal testing occurs before the child is born, and is called amniocentesis. Amniocentesis is performed during the second trimester. Using an ultrasound for guidance, the medical professional goes through the abdomen and into the uterus using a small needle. A small amount of amniotic fluid is drawn through the needle, which carries the genetic makeup of the child. A sample of blood is taken from the believed father, and the two samples are compared to look for similarities. If the similarities are within a high enough percentage point, paternity is confirmed.
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
Another test available to determine paternity is chorionic villus sampling (CVS). CVS is also done prenatally, and involves the use of a tube inserted through the cervix. Using ultrasound technology, the tube is used to collect a small piece of tissue off the uterus called chorionic villi. Since chorionic villi come from the same fertilized egg as the fetus, they share the same genetic makeup as the baby. The genetic make up of the villi can then be compared to the blood test of the potential father to determine paternity.
Postnatal Testing
Paternity testing can also be done any time after a child is born. Postnatal testing can be done using a blood sample, umbilical cord samples, saliva from a cheek swab or the collection of other samples that contain genetic material (such as hair, or tissue). The genes from these samples can then be compared to the genes of the sample from the potential father to determine paternity.
Costs
According to the American Pregnancy Association, paternity testing can cost anywhere from $400 to $2,000, depending on the lab taking the sample and the test being provided. It is important to look for labs that are certified by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) to ensure quality results. Results can come in as little as five days, depending on the lab being used.
