Non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) is an innovative genetic screening test that detects the main fetal aneuploidies, namely trisomy 21, 18 or 13 in pregnant women at risk of these pathologies.
The non-invasive screening test uses fetus DNA without cell’s DNA from a maternal blood sample, resulting not risk to the fetus. In many cases, NIPT eliminates the need for invasive sampling, thus reducing the associated risk to the fetus.
The NIPT test screens a maternal blood sample for chromosome aneuploidy in fetal DNA using the following methodology:
- Extraction of cell free fetal DNA from the maternal blood sample
- High throughput sequencing of the extracted cell free fetal DNA
- Calculation of molecular mass of fetal DNA in all chromosomes
During pregnancy, the placenta releases cell free DNA which circulates in the maternal blood current. As a result, the maternal blood contains a mixture of Fetal and maternal DNA in variable proportion. This proportion is the fetal fraction. Our laboratory isolates this circulating DNA to detect the presence of genetic material relating to chromosomes 21, 18 or 13. If the fetal fraction is too weak in quantity, a new sample may be required for analysis.
NIPT is a new prenatal screening test that provides pregnant women with accurate information about their baby’s genetic health without the risk of invasive testing such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. It also detects Whole Genome – 23 pairs of human chromosomes, Common Chromosomal abnormality: Trisomy 13 (Patau’s Syndrome) Trisomy 18 (Edwards’ Syndrome) Trisomy 21 (Down’s syndrome), Microdeletions – 20 specific diseases – DiGeorge syndrome, Williams syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Hereditary Neuropathy with Liability to Pressure Palsy (HNPP), Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, Miller-Dieker syndrome and many more.
We prefer making it simple, clear and most accurate for you in the test result. It will help you for sure to provide precise information to your health care provider and give you a confident approach to future plans. NIPT is fully secure without any risk to the fetus or the mother, with an accuracy of more than 99.6%. For best results, the test should be performed after 10 weeks of gestation. Therefore, NIPT is currently the best acceptable test for prenatal diagnosis of fetal Down syndrome to help health professionals or patients to understand the current health scenario.
At DNA Forensics Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. we recommend NIPT be offered to women at increased risk of abnormal fetal chromosomal copy number. It is also recommended that women receive genetic counseling to discuss the information received from this test, as well as the risks and limitations. The company promotes patient education and stimulating patient understanding of and involvement in medical care with the help of our professionals.
When NIPT is performed?
Testing can be done any time after 10 weeks; typically it is done between 10-24 weeks. Results can take 8 – 10 working days.
Testing Laboratory: Testing is performed at our Delhi based laboratory which is accredited by NABL and CAP.
Indications for NIPT
NIPT technologies have been validated in singleton and twins pregnancies at high risk for trisomy 21 due to:
- Advanced maternal age
- Abnormal Ultrasound findings
- Suspicious serum markers for Trisomy 21,18,13
- Personal or family history of aneuploidy.
- A previous pregnancy with a chromosomal condition
- Received IVF treatment /Donor egg
- Still has general concerns about the health of the fetus
Advantages of NIPT
Highly accurate: The NIPT test uses the Next-generation sequencing technology to reach a detection rate of greater than 99.9%.
Simple: The NIPT test only requires 10ml of maternal peripheral blood.
Risk-free: Testing peripheral maternal blood prevents intrauterine infection and the risk of miscarriage.
Early-test: The NIPT test allows testing as early as the tenth week of gestation.
Pregnancy is a nice trip. Thinking that your baby has a genetic condition, such as Down syndrome, can be overwhelming. Do not wait. The sooner you know, the better you will be prepared! But be sure about the doctor and center you choose for your DNA test procedure.
For further queries, please contact us or you may schedule an appointment with us by calling our helpline number: +91 8010177771 or WhatsApp us at: +91 9213177771.
