Pregnancy care continues to evolve as advances in genetics make it possible to learn more about potential fetal genetic conditions earlier in pregnancy. Recognising the importance of this information, uniCare is introducing PRENIX to the UAE, bringing a broader approach to prenatal genetic screening for expecting families.
PRENIX combines NIPT for all chromosomes, screening for five clinically significant microdeletions and 18 common recessive genetic diseases. It is curated to provide deeper genetic insight from as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy through a maternal blood sample, with reflex paternal testing available when certain recessive conditions are identified.
Introducing Prenatal Intelligence with Reflex Testing
PRENIX is curated to screen for a broad range of genetic findings, including Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 21, sex chromosome aneuploidies, other chromosomes, five microdeletion syndromes, and 18 common recessive genetic diseases.
The microdeletion panel includes conditions associated with:
DiGeorge syndrome
1p36 deletion syndrome
Angelman/Prader-Willi syndromes
Cri-du-Chat syndrome
Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome
The screening also covers a range of recessive conditions, including alpha thalassemia, beta thalassemia/sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, G6PD deficiency, Wilson's disease, Pompe disease, phenylketonuria, and other conditions included in the PRENIX panel. This broader scope is a defining feature of the uniCare prenatal screening.
What Makes PRENIX Different?
One of the notable aspects of PRENIX is its approach to recessive genetic conditions. If a recessive condition is reported as positive in the baby's screening, PRENIX includes reflex paternal confirmation testing. A separate paternal blood sample can therefore be used to provide additional information about whether the father carries the relevant variant.
This approach is particularly relevant for recessive conditions because the genetic status of both parents can influence the likelihood of a child being affected.
PRENIX recommends testing from 10 weeks of pregnancy. The maternal sample involves 10 ml of blood collected in a cell-free DNA tube, while paternal reflex testing uses 5 ml of EDTA blood when required.
How PRENIX Uses Advanced Genetic Analysis
The PRENIX testing process begins with the collection of maternal blood during early pregnancy. Cell-free DNA and maternal DNA are extracted from plasma before DNA library preparation and sequencing. The testing uses Next Generation Sequencing, with the product material stating that more than 10 million reads are generated from high-quality paired-end sequencing data for analysis.
PRENIX then applies its proprietary NIPT-R algorithm, described as a machine-learning algorithm developed to support the interpretation of sequencing data. The results are subsequently interpreted and presented through a structured PRENIX report. The stated turnaround time is 8 - 10 days for the NIPT component and 18 days for the final report, subject to the testing process and laboratory requirements.
A Broader Look at Your Baby’s Genetic Health
In addition to screening for chromosomal conditions, microdeletions, and selected recessive genetic diseases, PRENIX can also provide information about the baby’s fetal sex through analysis of the sex chromosomes. This information is included as part of the genetic screening report, giving expecting parents additional information during pregnancy. PRENIX is available in the UAE at a price of AED 1,999 and can be performed from as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy using a maternal blood sample. As PRENIX is a screening test rather than a diagnostic test, discuss all results with a qualified healthcare professional who can explain their significance and advise on any appropriate follow-up.
Screening Is Not the Same as Diagnosis
An important part of understanding NIPT services is knowing what a screening result means. Non-invasive prenatal testing analyses genetic material associated with the pregnancy to estimate the likelihood of specific conditions. A high-risk screening result does not by itself establish a diagnosis. Healthcare professionals may recommend appropriate follow-up or diagnostic testing depending on the result and the clinical circumstances.
This distinction is essential when considering prenatal genetic testing services. Genetic screening should be discussed with an obstetrician, genetic counsellor, or qualified healthcare professional who can explain the findings and the next appropriate steps.
Bringing Extensive Prenatal Screening to UAE Families
The introduction of PRENIX gives expecting families in the UAE access to a screening approach that goes beyond common chromosomal conditions by also incorporating microdeletions and selected recessive genetic diseases.
For families considering detailed prenatal screening in the UAE, the value of genetic testing lies not simply in the number of conditions included, but in understanding what the screening can identify, what its results mean, and when further medical evaluation may be required.
uniCare's introduction of PRENIX reflects the continuing development of prenatal healthcare in the UAE, where advances in genomic technology are creating new opportunities for earlier and more detailed genetic screening.
For expecting parents, the decision to undergo prenatal genetic screening is personal and should be made in consultation with a qualified healthcare professional. PRENIX can provide additional genetic information during pregnancy, helping physicians and families have more informed conversations about pregnancy care and appropriate follow-up.
To learn more about PRENIX and prenatal genetic screening, contact uniCare - 800 864 2273 to understand the testing process, eligibility, and available support.