Reproductive Health Care

Femoflor ®  is a modern PCR-based test and the only diagnostic method that allows complex evaluation of vaginal microbiome composition, diagnosis of dysbiosis and detection of sexually transmitted infections. It is a first that with just one test is possible to determine the microbial vaginal composition in relation to all microorganisms inhabiting the female vaginal tract. Femoflor ® is the only test showing the full picture of the vaginal bacterial composition, distinguishing the norm from the disease. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition where certain bacteria predominate in the vagina. BV is associated with an imbalance of „good“ and „harmful“ bacteria, usually found in a woman's vagina. Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal condition in women aged 15-44 years. Bacterial vaginosis is very often asymptomatic and can increase the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, as well as compromising intimate and reproductive health. Pregnant women are at increased risk of developing BV. Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy is associated with a risk of miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight and infection of the newborn. Treatment is especially important for pregnant women.

The test includes non-invasive prenatal screening identifying the most common chromosomal aneuploidies and 84 microdeletion syndromes in maternal blood fetal DNA.

Femoflor plus® is a modern PCR-based test and the only diagnostic method that allows complex evaluation of vaginal microbiome composition, diagnosis of dysbiosis and detection of sexually transmitted infections. It is a first that with just one test is possible to determine the microbial vaginal composition in relation to all microorganisms inhabiting the female vaginal tract. Femoflor ® is the only test showing the full picture of the vaginal bacterial composition, distinguishing the norm from the disease. 

In cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood this test detects the presence of Trisomy 21 (Down's Syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome), Trisomy 13 (Patau's Syndrome), Monosomy X (Turner's Syndrome), XXX (Klinefelter's syndrome), XXX and XYY, 84 microdeletion syndromes associated with deletions / duplications throughout the genome, 27 severe dominant monogenic disorders resulting from de novo mutations in 18 genes. 

In twin pregnancies, the test is only for Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) and the presence of the Y chromosome.

Chlamydia is a common STD that can infect both men and women. It can cause serious, permanent damage to a woman's reproductive system. This can make it difficult or impossible for her to get pregnant later on. Currently, PCR assay is the gold standard for the diagnosis of chlamydial infections (See the diagnostic recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HERE). 

This test analyzes genetic factors related to disorders of the coagulation system and the risk of increased blood clotting, as well as the risk of hypofibrinolysis.

Indications for the test are one or more miscarriages in the family, stillbirth, fetal growth retardation, preeclampsia, preparation for an in vitro procedure, use of hormonal contraceptives, varicose veins, cardiovascular disease in the family.

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by infection with the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. It can infect both men and women and is transmitted through vaginal, anal and oral sexual contact with an infected partner. 

Gonorrhea is a very common infectious disease especially among young people aged 15-24. It can affect the genitals, rectum, and throat, depending on sexual practices.

Untreated gonorrhea can cause serious and permanent health problems in both women and men. The infection can also be spread perinatally from mother to baby during childbirth.

Currently, PCR analysis is the gold standard for the diagnosis of gonococcal infections (See the diagnostic recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HERE).

This test is prescribed when positive results from NIFTY Pro® and / or fetal morphology are registered. It is used for final conclusion regarding Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, monosomy X, syndrome XXX, triplodia.

This test for chromosomal abnormalities of the fetus involves taking chorionic villus sampling or performing amniocentesis. Both procedures involve the use of a fine needle to sample the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby (amniocentesis) or to sample a placental cells (CVS).

These tests give a definite "Yes" or "No" result as to whether the fetus carries the suspected genetic mutation.

Although these invasive procedures provide a definitive diagnosis, they actually carry a minimal risk of miscarriage. Therefore, it is recommended to use non-invasive diagnostics as the primary source of research. The likelihood of miscarriage is often a dilemma for parents, and many women choose to have a NIFTY Pro® test before undertaking an invasive procedure.

 ChromoSeq ® detects pathological copy number variations  across the whole genome, including :  

•  Whole and partial chromosomal aneuploidies
• Unbalanced translocations
• Microdeletions and microduplications
• Deletions and duplications within single genes

This test analyses the most common chromosomal aneuploidies associated with loss of pregnancy. Abortive material analysis for the most common chromosomal abnormalities detects Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, monosomy X, syndrome XXX, triplodia, trisomy 9, trisomy 14, trisomy 15, trisomy 16, trisomy 22.

WES® detects pathological genetic variants in the whole protein coding sequence in the human genome. 

Group B Streptococcus (group B strep, GBS) are bacteria that come and go naturally in the body. Most of the time the bacteria are not harmful for adults, but they can cause severe infection in newborns. Pregnant women can pass the bacteria to their babies during delivery. 

The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend for all pregnant women to get tested for GBS bacteria. Pregnant women should get tested when they are 36 through 37 weeks pregnant. The fastest and most reliable GBS test is designed specifically for the purposes of GBS screening PCR test. The test is quick and does not hurt. 

Women who test positive for GBS are not sick. However, they are at increased risk for passing the bacteria to their babies during birth.

GBS bacteria can cause:

• Bacteremia (bloodstream infection) and sepsis (the body’s extreme response to an infection)
• Bone and joint infections
• Meningitis (infection of the tissue covering the brain and spinal cord)
• Pneumonia (lung infection)
• Skin and soft-tissue infections

A normal pregnancy is a state of tolerance between the mother's immune system and the half-foreign genetic material of the fetus inherited from the father. This tolerance is ensured by two main mechanisms:

• Soluble HLA-G protein secretion (part of the MHC class I HLA system), which functions in the trophoblasts - the contact zone between the fetus and the mother. In a normal pregnancy, HLA-G is released in high concentration and thus successfully suppresses the rejection of the fetus by the mother's immune system. At low concentration of HLA-G, the risk of miscarriage and preeclampsia increases greatly.
• Regulatory T cells of the immune system that suppress the secretion of Th1 cells (pro-inflammatory cytokines-interleukins 1, Tumor Necrotizing Factor) and stimulate the secretion of Th2 (anti-inflammatory cytokines). Increased Th1 secretion often leads to pregnancy complications, preeclampsia, premature birth, and low birth weight.

Gestational diabetes, like type 2 diabetes, is characterized by insulin resistance and an inability to properly metabolize glucose and elevated blood sugar levels. It develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after it, but 20-50% of affected women have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later after delivery. Mother with gestational diabetes and fetus are at risk during pregnancy and after birth. The development of gestational diabetes in the mother and its untimely management can lead to macrosomia, respiratory problems, and jaundice in the newborn, as well as severe hypoglycemia immediately after birth. Early diagnosis of predisposition to gestational diabetes would assist obstetricians in monitoring pregnancy, choosing an appropriate diet, exercise for the expectant mother and drug therapy, if necessary.

At increased risk of developing gestational diabetes are women:

- who are overweight (Вody mass index about 30)

-  over 30-35 years

- with sugar in the urine

- with high blood pressure or other medical complications

- with previous birth of an overweight child

- with gestational diabetes in previous pregnancies

- with family history of diabetes

- with type 1 or type 2 diabetes before pregnancy

Folate (Vitamin B9) is part of the B vitamins group and is associated with the normal development of the fetus during pregnancy, the formation of red blood cells, proper DNA synthesis, methylation, and detoxification of the cell.

The Folate genetic test involves the analysis of genetic variants in the MTHFR gene associated with the proper absorption of folic acid and a possible risk of vitamin deficiency, which is often accompanied by an increase in homocysteine levels. The test is used to determine the need for additional folic acid intake in order to improve the quality of life in people of different ages.