POCScreen - Product of Conception Screening

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

The POCScreen test is done on the tissue from the miscarriage to evaluate the presence of abnormal chromosome numbers and determine if the miscarriage was caused by the chromosomal abnormality.

The test aims to give you answers after a loss and provide your healthcare provider with information for reproductive counselling.

What is a chromosomal abnormality?

Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 in total) within almost every cell in our body. One chromosome of each pair comes from our mother, and the other from our father. The first chromosome pairs are labelled 1-22. The last pair of these chromosomes are the sex chromosomes, which determine gender. Females usually have two X chromosomes, and males have an X and a Y chromosome. A change in the number of chromosomes can lead to a change in development, which may result in a miscarriage. POC can detect extra copies of a chromosome (three copies) called trisomy, missing copies of a chromosome (only one copy) called monosomy, as well as, duplications and deletions (extra or missing pieces of chromosomes). Any changes to the normal chromosome makeup can result in a miscarriage.

POC can be used for:

Couples who have suffered a pregnancy loss
Specifically, those who have had recurrent miscarriages

Some of the benefits of POC are:

Gives you answers and closure after a pregnancy loss
Provides your healthcare provider with information for reproductive counselling and insight into future reproductive planning

POC - Patient - How it works

What will the results tell me?

The aim of POCScreen is to give you answers after a pregnancy loss and provide your healthcare provider with information and insight for future reproductive planning and counselling.

How much does POC cost?

POCScreen - Products of Conception Screening (POCs)
Comprehensive chromosome aneuploidy screening (1-22, X&Y) of POCs
Private rate R 6195 Coverable by certain medical aids with a valid authorisation number

Please note that all prices include VAT and are subject to change.

Will my medical aid cover?

Yes. Most medical aids will cover the cost of the test using the hospital authorisation number. If you are not admitted to hospital for the procedure, there will be no procedure authorisation code and medical aid will therefore not cover the cost of the test. It is advisable to always confirm with your medical aid directly, before going ahead with testing.

Are my results sent directly to my doctor?

Yes, your results will be sent directly to your referring healthcare provider. You will need to contact them directly for your results.

How long will results take?

Results take 7-10 working days provided that consent and payment/authorisation has been received.

What are the medical aid POCScreen procedure codes?

Description	ICD10	Tariff Code
Cytogenetic Analysis: Chronic Tissue	Z36.0	4755
DNA Extraction: Chronic Tissue	Z36.0	4767
Prenatal PCR: Chronic Tissue	Z36.0	4769

Consent Document

Pregnancy Loss Support Document

Wapner et al. (2012) NEJM 367 (23): 2175-2184. 2 Jeve et all. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2014 Jul-Sep; 7(3): 159–16.

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