What Is Microarray Testing and Why Is It Used?
Microarray testing is typically carried out for newborns. Watch as medical laboratory scientist Dr. Brandy Gunsolus explains the test and why it is used.
Brandy D. Gunsolus, DCLS, MLS(ASCP)cmInterviewer:
Dr. Gunsolus, here's another question for you. What is microarray testing, and why is this test used?
Dr. Brandy Gunsolus:
So, microarray testing is typically used on newborns. It can be used in older adults, but it's traditionally a test, it's more used on newborns. And what we're looking for is if a newborn has extra pieces of chromosome or if they're missing pieces of their chromosome, and that is really really important when we're looking at those types of conditions that are congenital, you know, conditions that the newborn is born with. Chromosome microarray is a much faster test than say full genome sequencing, and so we can find out those kinds of changes much faster so that we can give the child appropriate treatment faster.
This information is not a substitute for, nor does it replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a healthcare professional.