The paternity test is a type of DNA test that aims to verify the degree of kinship between the person and his / her supposed father. This test can be done during pregnancy or after birth by analyzing the blood, saliva or hair strands of the mother, child and the alleged father.
The main types of paternity testing are:
- Prenatal paternity test : can be performed from the 8th week of gestation through a small sample of the mother's blood, since fetal DNA can already be detected in maternal blood, and compared with the genetic material of the alleged father;
- Amniocentesis paternity test : can be performed between the 14th and 28th gestation through collection of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus and comparison with the genetic material of the alleged father;
- Paternity test for cordocentesis : can be performed from the 29th week of gestation through fetal blood sample collection through the umbilical cord and comparison with the genetic material of the alleged father;
- Pilarity test by villio-chorale : can be performed between the 11th to the 13th week of gestation through the collection of fragments of the placenta and comparison with genetic material of the alleged father.
The genetic material of the alleged father may be blood, saliva or hair, however some laboratories recommend that 10 strands of hair be collected from the root. In the event of the death of the alleged father, the paternity test can be performed using blood samples from the mother or father of the deceased.
The price of the paternity test varies according to the laboratory, being able to cost between R $ 2000 and R $ 4000, 00. However, in some cases the paternity test can be carried out free of charge by means of a judicial request that can be requested by a lawyer from the public defender's office.
DNA test still in pregnancy
DNA testing during pregnancy can be done from the 8th week of gestation through collection of the mother's blood, since fetal DNA can already be found circulating in the mother's blood. However, when the DNA test only identifies the maternal DNA, it may be necessary to collect again or wait a few weeks for other material to be collected.
Normally at the 12th week of gestation, DNA may be collected by chorionic villus biopsy, in which a sample of part of the placenta containing fetal cells is collected and taken for laboratory analysis and comparison with the genetic material of the fetus. supposed father. By the 16th week of gestation, the amniotic fluid can be collected and around the 20th week, blood from the umbilical cord.
Whatever method is used to collect the fetal genetic material, the DNA is compared to the parent's DNA to assess the degree of kinship.
How is the paternity test done?
The paternity test is done from the analysis of the sample sent to the laboratory, where molecular tests are performed that indicate the degree of relationship between the people who underwent the examination from the DNA comparison. Learn more about DNA testing.
The result of the paternity test is released between 2 and 3 weeks, depending on the laboratory in which it is performed, and is 99.9% reliable.
Where to take the paternity test
The paternity test can be carried out autonomously or through a judicial request in specialized laboratories. Some laboratories that perform the paternity test in Brazil are:
- Genomic - molecular engineering - Phone: (11) 3288-1188;
- Genome Center - Telephone: 0800 771 1137 or (11) 50799593.
It is important to inform at the time of the examination if any of the people had blood or marrow transfusions 6 months before the test, because in those cases the result may be doubtful, being more appropriate to carry out the paternity test through the collection of the saliva.
