In the rapidly evolving world of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), the Harmony Prenatal Test offered by Dynacare is demonstrating distinct advantages that set it apart from the competition, enabling it to meet the needs of women worldwide.
The Harmony Prenatal Test uses just one vial of blood from the mother to screen for Down Syndrome (trisomy 21) and two other rare but devastating genetic disorders (Edward’s Syndrome/trisomy 18 and Patau Syndrome/trisomy 13). The test can be done as early as 10 weeks into the pregnancy and results come back within seven to 10 business days.
By comparison, amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, two prenatal diagnostic tests commonly used to identify genetic conditions, require cell samples of the amniotic fluid or the placenta, obtained through a long needle guided by ultrasound.
“These invasive techniques provide a definitive diagnosis but also create risk for the pregnancy – risks that many prospective parents prefer to avoid. With the Harmony Prenatal Test, they can have peace of mind very early in the pregnancy by safely and accurately learning about some aspects of their baby’s genetic health,” says Dr. Philip Wyatt, Toronto geneticist and medical consultant to Dynacare.
“Down Syndrome is the most common chromosome abnormality and, in almost all cases, there is no family history. That makes it a significant concern for all women,” adds Dr. Wyatt.
What sets the Harmony Prenatal Test apart from other Non-Invasive Prenatal Tests?
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Harmony is the most studied and proven NIPT in the world with clinical trials involving more than 22,000 women of all ages and risk levels. It is available in more than 100 countries and territories, and has been used to guide clinical care in more than one million pregnancies.
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This rigorous testing – including a study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine – has demonstrated Harmony’s unsurpassed accuracy. For Down Syndrome, it is more than 99 per cent accurate, with a false positive rate of less than one per cent.
- The convenience of the Harmony Prenatal Test is a big advantage for busy consumers. In addition to being available in all Dynacare service centres, a specially-trained Dynacare technician can come to the consumer’s home to draw the blood sample. In most regions of Canada, there is no extra charge for this service and it takes just 15 minutes.
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The Harmony Prenatal Test can screen for genetic abnormalities even if twins are expected or if fertility treatment has been used including IVF (in vitro fertilization), donor sperm, or surrogacy. No other NIPT is available to these women.
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The Harmony Prenatal Test is one of two NIPT tests that are publicly funded for women who meet eligibility criteria in Ontario, and the only NIPT publicly funded for women who meet eligibility criteria in B.C. Many health insurance companies also cover NIPT. In addition, women who want testing, but are not covered, can purchase a Harmony test from Dynacare for $495.
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Genetic counselling is included with the Harmony Prenatal Test through the Dynacare customer care program.
At the age of 37, creative director and musician Breya Rolt was thrilled to be pregnant after undergoing fertility treatment. She’s an upbeat person who believes that “knowledge is power”. That’s why when her doctors recommended the Harmony Prenatal Test, she jumped at the chance.
“I think everyone should have this opportunity. It’s important information you can get without any risk to your pregnancy or the baby,” she says. Breya’s Harmony result was “low risk”. She and her husband Dan will become parents in a few months.
To learn more about the Harmony Prenatal Test, and how it provides clear answers to questions that matter, visit the Prenatal Test section of the Dynacare website, or speak with your doctor.
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About Dynacare
Dynacare is committed to being Canada’s health and wellness solutions leader. Quality care is at the heart of everything we do. We are continually developing innovative programs and services to positively impact the lives of Canadians and help healthcare providers deliver the best care possible. This includes our cardiac risk reduction program, convenient home care services, and Dynacare Plus, an easy-to-use online portal where individuals can understand their lab test results and manage their health.
In addition to offering the largest and most advanced menu of diagnostic and screening tests in Canada, Dynacare supports physicians in making more confident diagnoses and clinical decisions. Dynacare Next is shaping the future by bringing advances in medical laboratory testing to clinicians. Through Dynacare Insurance Solutions we provide specialized testing and paramedical services for the insurance industry, and we are helping improve the health and safety of employees through workplace testing and wellness programs with Dynacare Workplace. Please visit Dynacare.ca to learn how we can help you.
For more information, please contact Customer Care at 888.988.1888.