Prenatal chromosome diagnostics

Required sample material

A prenatal chromosome analysis can be performed from:

• Amniotic fluid (amniotic cells)
  15-20 ml of sterile amniotic fluid, the first 1-2 ml should be discarded or used for AFP diagnostics. Do not centrifuge amniotic fluid.
  Dispatch in uncoated sterile tubes
• Chorionic villus/placenta biopsies
  15-20 mg chorionic villi for chromosome analysis.
  If additional molecular genetic analyses are to be performed, at least 30 mg chorionic villi.
  Shipment in uncoated tubes with transport medium
• Fetal umbilical cord blood
  0.7-1 ml heparinised fetal umbilical cord blood
  NH-Heparinat S monovettes (Sarstedt REF 01.1603) or disposable syringes with approx. 20 to max. 200 µl heparin sodium (5000 I.U./ml) (final concentration 10 to max. 100 I.U. heparin/ml sample material)

Sample dispatch

The material should be sent uncooled by express mail. The sample transport time is of great importance in cytogenetics, as cell cultures have to be created here. All samples should therefore arrive in our laboratory the day after collection. Please do not send samples over the weekend!

Please send the samples to the following address:

Heidelberg University Hospital
Institute of Human Genetics
Cytogenetic Laboratory
Im Neuenheimer Feld 366
69120 Heidelberg

Sample labelling

Please label each sample container clearly with the surname, first name and date of birth of the patient and use our request forms.

The request forms are structured in such a way that we have all the necessary information about the patient and the patient consent form (where required) for the examination order.

Please complete the request forms carefully to avoid unnecessary enquiries and please understand that we cannot accept unlabelled sample containers.

Please bear in mind that we can only carry out genetic analyses if we have the patient's written consent!

Request form for cytogenetics and FISH diagnostics

For additional molecular genetic analyses:

Request form for molecular genetics (German) (English)

Further information

Examination method:
Cytogenetic examination

Processing period:
Amniotic fluid: 12-14 days
Fetal umbilical cord blood: 3-4 days
Chorionic villus short term culture: 2 days
Chorionic villus long term culture: 12-14 days

Contact persons