What is NIPT
Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a screening test for certain genetic abnormalities in the early stages of pregnancy. NIPT is designed for both singleton and twin pregnancies. It can be done as early as the 10th week of pregnancy by taking a venous blood sample from the mother.
What can be detected in a NIPT?
NIPT isolate fragments of DNA (cell-free DNA) in your blood during pregnancy in order to provide accurate information about the probability for a chromosomal abnormality which may affect your baby’s health. NIPT can be done as early as the 10th week of the pregnancy and it checks for the most common chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome), the sex of the baby, as well as sex chromosome aneuploidies. NIPT, such as Qualified® prenatal test, also have the option of providing you with information about all other chromosomes as well as a large number of microdeletions and duplications.
Who is NIPT meant for?
Previously, NIPT testing was offered only to pregnant women at high risk for chromosomal abnormalities, such as women over 35 or women with a family history of chromosomal abnormalities. However, professional societies such as The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACM G) now recommend NIPT to all pregnant women, regardless of age or risk, based on the fact that NIPT is the most accurate screening option for trisomy 21, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13.
The International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis (ISPD) believes that it is necessary for NIPT to be offered to every pregnant woman as a primary screening test.
Is NIPT safe?
Qualified® test is a noninvasive prenatal test (NIPT). Qualified® analyzes fetal DNA found in mother’s blood. For this type of chromosome testing, you only need a sample of mother’s venous blood, so there is no risk imposed on your baby’s safety. It is as convenient as any other laboratory test.
How accurate is NIPT?
Using cffDNA-based technology, Qualified® prenatal test can identify more than 99.9% pregnancies with Down syndrome. Statistical screening tests for Down syndrome (Double marker test, Triple marker test) can miss up to 15% of pregnancies with Down syndrome.