Abstract

Cytogenetic testing of pregnancy tissue is recommended for recurrent or late miscarriage, and stillbirth. Cytogenetics is a type of genetic test which involves looking at chromosomes inside cells in pregnancy tissue to see if anything about them is unusual. Cork University Maternity Hospital changed its cytogenetic testing procedures and also simplified forms and reporting procedures at the same time. We reviewed testing records from 2018-2020 to see if there were any impacts of these changes. There were less electronic request forms with missing or incomplete clinical information recorded. We saw no difference in tests being requested outside of those allowed. The rate of genetic anomalies found was similar. No difference was seen in the rate of tests which could not be completed or a result received from them, most of which were due to sampling errors. Our study identified areas for improvement in sample collection and education regarding appropriate cytogenetic testing. While there is a limited sample size for the most recent testing procedure, to date only positive changes have occurred since it was put in place.