T
The Daily Insight

What is a CMA genetic test

Author

Victoria Simmons

Published Mar 16, 2026

Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) provides comprehensive genetic testing for the most common chromosomal conditions as well as a large number of severe genetic conditions not detected by traditional chromosome analysis.

What does a CMA test for?

Chromosomal microarray (CMA) testing looks for extra (duplicated) or missing (deleted) chromosomal segments, sometimes called copy number variants (CNVs).

Can CMA detect autism?

As a part of our range of autism services, Cortica offers other biomedical tests for autism, but CMA is the only first-tier genetic test recommended for all individuals with autism, intellectual developmental disorder, or global developmental delay.

What conditions does microarray test for?

A microarray is the recommended first line genetic test for developmental delay (DD), intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD)*. CMA however, does not identify fragile X syndrome (FXS), a common cause of intellectual disability.

What is the condition CMA?

CMA is a distressing condition for infants and their parents/carers: CMA is an immune mediated reaction to the proteins within cow’s milk and is one of the most common food allergies affecting 2-5% of infants. 1. Up to 40 000 babies a year in the UK may develop CMA.

Which chromosome is responsible for autism?

An extra copy of a stretch of genes on chromosome 22 may contribute to autism, according to the first study to carefully characterize a large group of individuals who carry this duplication1. The doubling can also lead to medical complications, such as vision or heart problems. The region, called 22q11.

Can a genetic test show autism?

Because no single gene causes autism (more than 100 genes have clear ties to the disorder), there are no genetic tests available to diagnose autism. Many different changes and mutations in a person’s genes can lead to them developing autism.

What is a genetic microarray?

A microarray is a laboratory tool used to detect the expression of thousands of genes at the same time. DNA microarrays are microscope slides that are printed with thousands of tiny spots in defined positions, with each spot containing a known DNA sequence or gene.

How long does it take to get results from a microarray?

Microarray testing will find common chromosome conditions, like Down syndrome, and can also find chromosome conditions that would not be seen with a karyotype. Microarray results take about two to three weeks.

How much does a chromosomal microarray cost?

These tests are commercially available for $1500-$2000. However, like all medical testing, discounted costs are often arranged between a hospital and reference laboratory or insurance carrier and reference laboratory, which may bring the actual cost of the test quite lower.

Article first time published on

What genetic test should be offered to individuals with autism?

For now, American medical academies recommend only karyotyping or chromosomal microarray analysis for autism. They also advise looking for point mutations in FMR1, MECP2 or PTEN, but only when a child shows other signs of the syndromes associated with mutations in these genes.

Can chromosomal microarray detect autism?

Chromosomal microarray analysis should be considered as a first-tier genetic diagnostic test for autism spectrum disorders because of its strong ability to detect chromosomal abnormalities in patients with these conditions, findings from a study suggested.

Why is CMA a first line test?

CMA testing for CNV is recommended as a first-line test in the initial postnatal evaluation of individuals with the following: Multiple anomalies not specific to a well-delineated genetic syndrome. Apparently non-syndromic developmental delay/intellectual disability.

How much does a chromosome analysis cost?

The cost of genetic testing can range from under $100 to more than $2,000, depending on the nature and complexity of the test. The cost increases if more than one test is necessary or if multiple family members must be tested to obtain a meaningful result. For newborn screening, costs vary by state.

What tool can be used to determine inheritance patterns of a genetic disorder?

One can determine the likelihood of producing a child with a particular trait using a Punnett square. Assuming two individuals know their genotype for the trait, using a Punnett square allows them to visualize the potential genotypes of their offspring as well as determine the likelihood of trait expression.

Does autism come from the mother or father?

The team found that mothers passed only half of their structural variants on to their autistic children—a frequency that would be expected by chance alone—suggesting that variants inherited from mothers were not associated with autism. But surprisingly, fathers did pass on substantially more than 50% of their variants.

What is the most common known genetic cause of autism?

Have you heard of fragile X syndrome? If not, you’re not the only one. Most people would be surprised to learn that it’s the most common identified cause of inherited intellectual disability. Fragile X syndrome is also the most common known cause of autism or autism spectrum disorders.

What gene is mutated in autism?

Inherited mutations in a gene called ACTL6B lead to autism, epilepsy and intellectual disability, according to a new study1. The mutations are recessive, which means that they lead to autism only if a person inherits them in both copies of the gene — one from each parent, who are silent carriers.

What chromosome is Asperger's found on?

A previously known risk factor includes the autism susceptibility locus on chromosome 7q32. Finally, the top-ranked region in the new study, located at chromosome 3p14, is located only 1307 kilobases from a marker for Asperger syndrome identified by the Finnish team.

Is Asperger's a chromosomal disorder?

The Likely Answer: There’s No Single Cause While the exact cause of Asperger’s isn’t known, many experts believe the disorder is probably triggered by a variety of factors. A combination of genetic, neurological, and environmental issues might work together to cause the syndrome.

Can microarray detect Turner syndrome?

Prenatal diagnosis may indicate a karyotype consistent with a diagnosis of Turner syndrome; however, the phenotype of the individual cannot be predicted based on the chorionic villus or amniotic fluid cell karyotype, FISH, or microarray results.

What does ARR 1/22 x2 mean?

Female: arr (1-22,x)x2. Comments: CMA is indicated for patients with normal chromosome analysis or: unexplained developmental delay or mental retardation, dysmorphic features or congenital anomalies, autism spectrum disorders, seizures, or a clinical presentation suggestive of a chromosomal syndrome.

What is CVS microarray test?

Purpose: Microarray analysis can detect submicroscopic deletions and duplications of genetic material across all chromosomes. It provides a higher resolution analysis than a karyotype study, but doesn’t provide positional information e.g. genetically balanced rearrangements.

Does microarray test for cerebral palsy?

2010) Chromosomal microarray is increasingly being used in the diagnostic evaluation of patients with other neurologic phenotypes such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy when there is suspicion of a genetic etiology.

How long does genetic testing take IVF?

It commonly takes 7-10 days for test results to arrive and at that time, the most genetically viable embryo(s) is selected for embryo transfer.

Does Medicare cover genetic counseling?

Genetic counseling, as well as many genetic tests, are currently covered under Medicare and by private health insurers.

Is chromosome analysis covered by insurance?

In many cases, health insurance plans will cover the costs of genetic testing when it is recommended by a person’s doctor. Health insurance providers have different policies about which tests are covered, however. A person may wish to contact their insurance company before testing to ask about coverage.

What are the signs for autism?

  • Abnormal Body Posturing or Facial Expressions.
  • Abnormal Tone of Voice.
  • Avoidance of Eye Contact or Poor Eye Contact.
  • Behavioral Disturbances.
  • Deficits in Language Comprehension.
  • Delay in Learning to Speak.
  • Flat or Monotonous Speech.
  • Inappropriate Social Interaction.

Can two autistic parents have a normal child?

The answer is absolutely yes, under the right circumstances. While a person with moderate or severe autism is unlikely to have the skills to parent a child, many people with high-functioning autism are ready, willing, and able to take on the challenges of raising kids.

Which of the following is a standard recommended genetic testing for a child with multiple congenital anomalies?

Medical genetics groups now recommend chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) as a first line genetic test to identify genetic mutations in children with multiple anomalies not specific to well-delineated syndromes, nonsyndromic DD/ID, and ASD.

What kind of chromosomal abnormalities can occur?

Some chromosomal abnormalities occur when there is an extra chromosome, while others occur when a section of a chromosome is deleted or duplicated. Examples of chromosomal abnormalities include Down syndrome, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 13, Klinefelter syndrome, XYY syndrome, Turner syndrome and triple X syndrome.