Research

Nicholas Piramal-Phadke’s lab to offer genetic abnormality tests

MumbAI-based Nicholas Piramal-Dr Phadke’s lab (NPPL), one of the leading diagnostic labs in the country, will shortly provide screening and diagnosis of genetic defects which account for more than 50 per cent of pregnancy losses and childhood deafness, blindness and mental retardation in the Indian population.

Currently, around 60 per cent of pregnancy losses, 50 per cent of deafness, blindness and mental retardation in childhood and two to three per cent of neonatal losses in the Indian population are caused by genetic defects, said Dr Phadke. The new services would include amniotic fluid test to predict the risk for Down’s Syndrome in babies of mothers who conceive at a late age.

Chromosomal analysis of foetuses in repeated abortions to predict the risk of another miscarriage, test to predict leukemia in the baby as well as other genetic defects in babies whose mothers have undergone sonography during pregnancy would also be offered, Dr Phadke said. NPPL’s existing facilities at three centres in Mumbai also offer specialised drug sensitivity pattern test in drug resistant tb patients, a growing concern among medical fraternity.

(UNI)