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Synapse Offers A Path To Better Health Through Early-Stage Genetic Insights

Synapse’s Newborn Screening Baby service helps to detect over 40 inherited metabolic diseases also known as Inborn Errors of Metabolism (IEM), which can sometimes be fatal.

A healthy baby born. Image by jas from Pixabay.

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 Synapse, medical laboratory and healthcare group, recently launched myPrecise DNA, a direct-to-consumer genetic test that aims to democratise health care screening for the Malaysian public.

“Everyone has a unique genome, made up of the DNA in all of a person’s genes. Genetic testing can help identify genetic variants that relate to your health, wellness and disease conditions, said Dr Rachna Kairon, founder and managing director of Synapse, in a statement.

“The myPreciseDNA test analyses over 129 traits to provide a report with detailed insight into one’s health, dietary sensitivities, and fitness, among others.

“Besides this, the report also provides personalised recommendations on lifestyle changes, supplements or even medical advice so that people can proactively take steps to improve their health and wellness at any stage of their lives.”

To complement the genetic test, myPreciseDNA also provides genetic counselling and clinical consultancy that can help interpret the test results and understand the report better.

Additionally, the counsellor or consultant can also facilitate treatment options, sharing sessions to address emotional concerns, provide treatments, further investigations and recommendations for lifestyle changes based on personal genetic profiles.

Synapse was recently awarded accreditation by the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

“This is another exciting milestone for Synapse, as CAP accreditation signifies the highest quality standards of our laboratory. Complementary to the MS ISO 15189 accreditation we have received, we are now one of the first few laboratories in Malaysia to receive CAP certification,” said Dr. Rachna.

Synapse also has a newborn screening laboratory for early prevention and detection of sometimes fatal inherited metabolic diseases. Its Newborn Screening Baby service helps to detect over 40 inherited metabolic diseases also known as inborn errors of metabolism (IEM).

IEMs are medical conditions caused by genetic defects that interfere with the body’s metabolism. Inherited from both parents, and mostly presenting no symptoms at birth, the disruption to metabolism could lead to growth failure, eye or hearing defects, immunodeficiency, and development deficits such as unusual facial features.

In some cases, IEM can also be fatal. Due to this, the early detection and intervention provided by preventive screening is of vital importance to improve newborns’ survival rate in the event a condition is detected.

Synapse also offers BabySafe Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), which provides parents with options to look for genetic conditions in the baby during early pregnancy.

Utilising next generation sequencing technology, the test offers genetic screening for pregnant mothers as early as 10 to 13 weeks of pregnancy. It is highly sensitive and specific and can be used for IVF or twin pregnancy or pregnancies with a donor egg.

BabySafe NIPT provides the options to look for a large number of microdeletions within a very quick turnaround time. Microdeletions are chromosomal abnormalities that may result in health problems.

This test is important to help mothers detect the possibility of their foetus inheriting genetic conditions such as Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome, and Patau’s syndrome.

“Maternal and infant health is an integral part of the microcosm of family health and public health at large. Safeguarding and securing a healthy mother with a well baby is unique to Synapse’s mission.

“We as a laboratory provide this interface between technology and service to parents in collaboration with clinicians for a comprehensive and affordable mother and child care programme,” Dr Rachna said, adding that it is time for the public to be aware of the importance of mother and child health options.

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