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  • What is Prenatal Screening?
    • What Do We Screen For?
    • Multiple Marker Screening (MMS)
    • Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing
    • Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound
    • Options by Pregnancy Stage
    • For Twins or More Than Two Babies
    • Nominate a Condition
  • Results and Next Steps
    • Multiple Marker Screening (MMS) Results
    • Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Results
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    • Multiple Marker Screening (MMS) Requisitions
    • Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Requisitions
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HomeWhat is Prenatal Screening?What Do We Screen For?
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Conditions Screened

Which Chromosome Differences Are Screened For?

Currently, Multiple Marker Screening in Ontario (eFTS and STS) is OHIP-funded and can give you information about the following chromosome differences:

  • trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)
  • trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome)

NIPT is either OHIP-funded or paid for out-of-pocket and can give you information about the following chromosome differences:

  • trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)
  • trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome)
  • trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)
  • sex chromosome differences (you can choose not to include sex chromosome differences when you have NIPT)

scientist and helix

What Does Having a Chromosome Difference Mean?

Inside each of the cells in our body, there are string-like structures called chromosomes which package all of our DNA (genetic material).  Having a chromosome difference means that the person has extra or missing chromosome material. When the unborn baby has a chromosome difference there may be long-term effects on health and learning. Sometimes having a chromosome difference can have severe effects and results in the loss of the pregnancy. 

How Often do Chromosome Differences Happen?

Anyone has a chance to have a baby with trisomy 21 or trisomy 18. This chance increases with the age of the pregnant individual (or the age of egg donor). These chromosome differences usually happen by chance in the sperm or the egg that made the pregnancy, and do not generally run in families.

Nominate a Condition

Have your voice heard! Did you know you can nominate a condition for addition to the prenatal screening program in Ontario?

 

  • What is Prenatal Screening?
    • What Do We Screen For?
      Toggle Section What Do We Screen For? Menu
      • Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)
      • Trisomy 18
      • Trisomy 13
      • Sex chromosome differences
    • Multiple Marker Screening (MMS)
      Toggle Section Multiple Marker Screening (MMS) Menu
      • Enhanced First Trimester Screening (eFTS)
      • Second Trimester Screening (STS)
    • Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing
      Toggle Section Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Menu
      • NIPT Funding Criteria
    • Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound
      Toggle Section Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound Menu
      • Increased Nuchal Translucency
    • Options by Pregnancy Stage
      Toggle Section Options by Pregnancy Stage Menu
      • Less than 14 Weeks' Pregnant
      • 14-21 Weeks' Pregnant
      • Greater than 21 Weeks' Pregnant
    • For Twins or More Than Two Babies
    • Nominate a Condition

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Prenatal Screening Ontario 
CHEO Research Institute 
Centre for Practice-Changing Research Building 
401 Smyth Road 
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1

Phone: 613-737-2281

Toll-Free: 1-833-351-6490

Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

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