Protect Your Child’s Health by Getting a Paternity Test
Knowing your family health history is key to protecting your child’s future health. Understanding your child’s medical history is essential because they may be at risk for genetic traits and diseases that might affect their future well-being. It’s also important for a pediatrician to know each parent’s medical history to determine if a child is at higher risk of having common disorders, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, certain cancers, and diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health. It can help your doctor understand your child’s risk for disease and also let you take steps to reduce risk factors and delay the development of chronic diseases, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
A paternity test can also strengthen the bond between the biological father and the child, according to the American Pregnancy Association, a national health organization committed to promoting reproductive and pregnancy wellness. Knowing the results of a paternity test can help a mother make informed decisions about her child’s future family. It can also provide financial security by ensuring social security, inheritance, and veteran’s benefits.
Questions regarding paternity, especially during pregnancy, are very common and can cause anxiety and emotional distress. Nearly 300,000 paternity tests are performed annually in the United States, the National Institutes of Health reports. Approximately 3.7 percent of fathers are unknowingly parenting another man’s child, according to a report published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. When paternity is disputed, this statistic rises to 27 percent.
Prenatal Paternity Testing
During pregnancy, fetal DNA combines with the mother’s DNA by passing through the placenta into the mother’s bloodstream. When blood samples are collected from the mother and potential father, an analysis of the fetal DNA and the mother’s DNA can be used to help pinpoint the exact “genetic markers” that were contributed by the father. Then the DNA of the potential father is analyzed to determine the probability that his genetic markers are found in the child.
Any Lab Test Now offers a non-invasive Prenatal Paternity Test at its more than 170 locations nationwide. The test is an ideal option for pregnant mothers who need to allay their paternity concerns during pregnancy. The physical health of pregnant women is closely monitored by doctors, and the size of their baby bumps are admired by friends and family. Many women focus on diet and exercise during pregnancy and put their mental health on the back burner, so they have the energy to pick out baby gear, plan a nursery, and craft a birth plan. Despite the best-laid plans, pregnancy is an emotional roller coaster filled with insecurity, fear, and excited anticipation. Emotional well-being plays an important role in a healthy pregnancy. Establishing paternity can ease concerns and improve a woman’s mental health during pregnancy, the American Pregnancy Association reports.
The test can be taken during the early weeks of pregnancy and is zero risk to the unborn child. It provides an accurate determination of the child’s biological father during pregnancy. Test results are generally available in eight to 10 business days and do not require a prescription from a doctor, or insurance.
Establishing Paternity After Birth
Pregnancy is not the only time to establish paternity. If you need to determine paternity for child support or custody, a legally admissible paternity test is the best option. This test can also be used for a parent seeking medical, social security, or military benefits for their child, or to alter a birth certificate or for adoption.
Any Lab Test Now also offers a Paternity Informational Test, which compares the DNA of a child to the DNA of an alleged father and the child’s mother to determine the probability of paternity. The process is very simple and easy. It starts by collecting skin cell samples using a soft swab rubbed inside the cheeks to obtain DNA from the child and the potential father. The DNA of the potential father is analyzed to determine the probability that his genetic markers are found in the child.
Any Lab Test Now even offers an option for grandparents to help determine paternity with its Grandparentage test. This test is an indirect way to determine a family relationship and is very useful when an alleged father is not available or unwilling to participate in a paternity test.
Book an appointment online, or walk in to an Any Lab Test Now location to find the answer to your paternity questions and ensure your child has a healthy future.
