1. Choi TY, Lee HM, Park WK, Jeong SY, Moon HS. Spontaneous abortion and recurrent miscarriage: A comparison of cytogenic diagnosis in 250 cases. Obstet Gynecol Sci. 2014 Nov,57(6):518-525.
  2. Next Genetics Products of Conception Statistics January 2020 – December 2020, data available upon request.
  3. POC in house validation study, data available upon request.
POC - HCP - Methodology-1

More than half of first-trimester miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities1.

The POCScreen test offered by Next Biosciences employs next generation sequencing technology to rapidly and accurately screen products of conception for abnormal chromosome numbers, and large genetic deletions and/or duplications of chromosomal material.

The test aims to give patients answers after a loss and provide healthcare providers with information for reproductive counselling.

POC - Patient & HCP- What is POC-1

Some of the benefits of POC are:

  • Fast result turnaround time (7-10 working days)
  • No need for cell culturing
  • Test is done on next generation sequencing technology which ensures high resolution results
  • Allows for the detection of all chromosomes, as well as, large duplications and deletions
  • Accurately detects unbalanced translocations >20Mb
  • Pick-up rate of approximately 50%2

POCScreen is suitable for couples who have suffered a pregnancy loss, especially those who have had recurrent miscarriages.

Although many chromosomal abnormalities that cause miscarriages are sporadic and have a low recurrence risk, some abnormalities (such as translocations) are expected to significantly increase the risk of recurrence- which may necessitate parental karyotyping.

By identifying the (approximately) 50% of women whose pregnancy loss was due to chromosomal abnormalities, comprehensive chromosome screening will prevent a large proportion of patients undertaking unnecessary and costly evaluations. Furthermore, the psychological benefit of identifying the aetiology of a fetal loss, cannot be understated.

If a fetal chromosomal abnormality is excluded, there may be a possible treatable cause for a given miscarriage, and investigations can be focussed on identifying this.

Genetic testing outcomes can, therefore, be used to guide counselling for future pregnancies.

Next Biosciences uses next generation sequencing to rapidly and accurately screen Products of Conception (POC) for chromosomal abnormalities.

  • >99% analytical specificity3
  • >99% diagnostic accuracy3
  • >99% analytical sensitivity3
  • Test failure rate of 0.1% 2