Karyotyping is a laboratory technique used to analyze chromosomes in order to look for any major chromosomal anomaly which may cause a genetic condition. It is also the test used to determine trisomies or translocations. For kids with Down syndrome, this test confirms what type they have. Noah has full Trisomy 21, which is the most common. With this type of Ds, the 21st pair of chromosomes in the baby’s body fails to separate so the extra chromosome is carried as the baby develops. This happens prior to or at conception. The second and third types are called Mosaicism and Translocation. A good explanation of three types of Ds is found found here.
In the Philippines, Karyotyping is done in two institutions, the UP Manila, National Institutes of Health and at St Luke’s Research and Biotechnology Department. I called both centers two days ago just to get an idea how much the tests cost nowadays and how long the results are released.
The DSAPI FB page gets a lot of questions from new parents on the test and so I shared the info there. I am also sharing it here because I get a lot of visitors from Google who land in this page using keywords like “Down Syndrome Philippines” (Welcome po sa inyo!! Please check out my posts on Down Syndrome here)
So here’s the info as of February 2016.
UP Manila, National Institutes of Health
Contact Number: 526-1725 / 526-4266 / 5264349
Website: http://nih.upm.edu.ph
Email: nih@post.upm.edu.ph
Cost: Php4,750
Results Available in 3 weeks
St. Luke’s Research and Biotechnology Department
Contact Number: 723 01-01 (local 4202)
Website: http://www.stluke.com.ph/aboutus/researchandbiotechnology
Cost: Php 6,381 (16% discount for outpatient)
Results Available in 3-4 weeks
Here’s a shareable image as well:
If you have additional information on similar services in the Philippines or how families can get discounts on these procedures please share them in the comments section! Thank you!!
Grace says
November 10, 2019 at 4:42 pmI will also ask if it is okay if we don’t have the doctors approval because the patient that i will bring is a cancer patient. So definitely, we only ask her if she will agree to be tested. Also, what are the possible requirements if ever?
Grace says
November 10, 2019 at 4:40 pmHello, I will just ask if I can go on NIH with my auntie’s friend who has a breast cancer. We will just need to test her using a chromosal analysis test which is the karyotyping process. Also, I will just ask if we can bring her cheek cell to be tested on the laboratory or we will need her to go with us to be tested.
Jo-an Clemente says
January 17, 2019 at 11:13 amHi good day my 8 months old daughter need this test, her doctor says she may have down syndrome, may I know how much in PGH that test?
neva says
March 26, 2019 at 4:30 pmHi – im sorry for the late reply. I don’t know po how much the test is in PGH now. Better to call them na lang po.
Myrian says
September 17, 2019 at 7:33 pmCytoLab UPMla Chromosomal Analysis Php4,750. Located at NIH Bldg 625 Pedro Gil St Ermita Manila. If you will go to PGH, they will refer you to NIH. Thank you.
Jo-an Clemente says
January 17, 2019 at 11:11 amHi good day my 8 months old daughter need this test, she has possibility of having down syndrome because of her physical appearance, may I know how much in PGH that test?
Myrian says
September 17, 2019 at 7:32 pmCytoLab UPMla Chromosomal Analysis Php4,750. Located at NIH Bldg 625 Pedro Gil St Ermita Manila.
Pau says
May 2, 2022 at 3:46 pmDid you have that test na po?
Luisa Remulla says
January 27, 2018 at 2:33 pmHi there! Thank you so much for this.. I have a 4 month old baby that needs to test .. he has a possibility of having a trisomy 21 (down syndrome) because of his physical features ..
Grace says
November 10, 2019 at 4:38 pmHello, I will just ask if I can go on NIH with my auntie’s friend who has a breast cancer. We will just need to test her using a chromosal analysis test which is the karyotyping process. Also, I will just ask if we can bring her cheek cell to be tested on the laboratory or we will need her to go with us to be tested.
Sheila says
July 1, 2017 at 6:30 pmHi! Would you happen to know if it’s by appointment with NIH or can we just walk in? Thank you!
neva says
July 17, 2017 at 3:54 pmI think an appointment is needed po since this requires a blood draw from the baby. There might be other procedures required so it’s best to call ahead.
Myrian says
September 17, 2019 at 7:29 pmCytoLab UPMla accept walk in patients, no appointment needed. Just bring Doctors request. Open Monday to Friday 8am-3pm except holidays. Thank you.
dl wolfington says
April 18, 2017 at 1:50 pmi am in oz city…can u mail blood sample too manila?’
for karyotype analysis
neva says
May 4, 2017 at 10:33 pmhi – i’m not sure if that’s possible po, please check with your doctor.
Myrian says
September 17, 2019 at 7:25 pmYes. But clearance documents needed by the courier. You can call CytoLab UP Manila for further instructions. Thank you.
Christine says
September 30, 2016 at 11:08 pmhi!just want to ask if these hospitals offers karyotyping for adults also?my OB wants me to undergo this procedure and have you also checked if national kidney and tansplant institue medical laboratory offers karyotyping too?big help if u reply. thank you!
neva says
October 5, 2016 at 12:54 pmHi Christine – as far as i know only UP PGH and ST Luke’s offers karyotyping services here in the Philippines. But to be sure maybe you should just call NKTI as well.
Chesca Cinco says
September 18, 2016 at 3:32 pmHello. Thanks for sharing. Do you know if they also honor PWD discount?
neva says
September 20, 2016 at 4:20 pmHi Chesca! they should 🙂 I know St Luke’s honors PWD discounts, we’ve always used our son’s card there to get discounts on labs and procedures.
Myrian says
September 17, 2019 at 7:19 pmNational Institutes of Health-Instittute of Human Genetics Cytogenetics Lab offers PWD discount 20%. Just bring ID. Thank you
Aiz says
August 29, 2016 at 10:15 amThank you so much. This will really helps
neva says
August 29, 2016 at 7:13 pmyou’re welcome aiz 🙂
Patrick says
August 27, 2016 at 7:43 amThanks for sharing!
This article from 2010 indicates that Hi-Precision also offers Chromosomal Analysis
http://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/609277/hi-precision-celebrates-10-years-cebu-giving-back
Not sure of pricing yet.