What is the difference?
DaNAcare Basic is a focused screen for the common chromosomal conditions: trisomies 21, 18 and 13, and in a singleton pregnancy also selected sex chromosome conditions. DaNAcare Advanced includes all of those and extends the screen to every chromosome, including partial deletions and duplications on the autosomes. Wider information is not automatically the better choice, which is why the Advanced level is chosen in conversation and with medical advice.
DaNAcare Basic
A focused screen for the most common and most studied conditions in NIPT:
- Trisomy 21 · Down syndrome
- Trisomy 18 · Edwards syndrome
- Trisomy 13 · Patau syndrome
- Monosomy X · Turner syndrome
- XXY · Klinefelter syndrome
- XXX · Triple X
- XYY · Jacobs syndrome
In a twin pregnancy the reporting options differ, and you should not expect all four sex chromosome conditions to be screened in every twin pregnancy. We will tell you exactly what will be screened in your pregnancy before booking.
DaNAcare Advanced
Includes everything in the basic level and extends the screen to all chromosomes. It can identify aneuploidies of additional chromosomes, as well as partial deletions and duplications on the autosomes, subject to the laboratory's reporting threshold and to the limits of the technology.
There is something important to understand alongside the benefit: rare findings are harder to interpret, and their positive predictive value may be lower than for the common trisomies. International professional bodies do not currently recommend routine genome-wide screening for all deletions and duplications in the general population. We therefore present the wider level as a choice that requires explanation and informed consent, not as the better choice for everyone.
Comparison
| DaNAcare Basic | DaNAcare Advanced | |
|---|---|---|
| From | Week 10 | Week 10 |
| How | Maternal blood sample | Maternal blood sample |
| Trisomies 21, 18, 13 | Included | Included |
| Sex chromosomes | Depending on pregnancy type and level | Depending on pregnancy type and level |
| All chromosomes | No | Yes, genome-wide |
| Partial deletions and duplications | No | Yes, subject to the approved threshold |
| Suits | A focused screen for the common conditions | Wider information, with explanation of limits and rare findings |
How to actually choose
The question is not "which test is better" but "what information do you want, and what would you do with it". On the call we go through the week of pregnancy, the type of pregnancy, any earlier findings, and what matters to you. The medical decision itself should be made with your doctor or a genetic counsellor.
Is Advanced more accurate than Basic?
No. Both run on the same technology and the same sample. Advanced screens more widely, meaning it covers more conditions. It is not more accurate for the conditions Basic already screens.
Why not always choose the wider one?
Because a wider screen also raises the chance of a rare finding, which is harder to interpret and whose positive predictive value is lower. Such a finding can lead to further investigation and anxiety, sometimes without a clear conclusion.
Can I upgrade after the sample has been taken?
It depends on the stage the sample has reached in the laboratory. If you are unsure, talk to us before the blood draw.
What happens in a twin pregnancy?
It can be done, but what can be reported differs from a singleton pregnancy. We check in advance what can be reported in your pregnancy and explain it before booking.
