Why not go for NIPT, a test which gives you the information you want to have about your baby? Answering the queries that every “to be” mother has in her minds.
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is an advanced genetic screening test to detect risk for any chromosomal abnormalities that can be present in a baby when it is still developing inside the womb of the mother. It uses cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) which is the baby’s DNA that moves freely in the mother’s blood during pregnancy. The robust Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology is used to accomplish this assay.
NIPT by NGS is a non-invasive screening counterpart of the gold-standard diagnostic invasive test which utilizes amniotic fluid or chorionic villi to test. The concept of liquid biopsy and the discovery of circulating cell-free DNA became the pillars towards the development of this safe prenatal test; NIPT.
How is NIPT-NGS different from other pregnancy tests?
What can the test check for?
- Trisomy conditions that are three copies of the chromosome are present rather than the usual two copies in a pair especially Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13), Edward’s syndrome (Trisomy 18) and Down’s syndrome (Trisomy 21)
- X and Y chromosome aneuploidies (abnormal number of sex chromosome)
- Micro-deletions in chromosomes
Who is eligible for this test?
NIPT-NGS is a screening test and a safe recommendation to check Trisomies of chromosome 21, 18 and 13 in the unborn child. Factors that make this test a necessity are:
- High-risk pregnancies (Pregnancy that causes a life-threatening risk to either mother or fetus)
- Family history of chromosomal disorders
- Increased maternal age
- Previous born with a genetic disorder
- Abnormal ultrasound findings
- High-risk finding in serum screening
Why is it different from other tests?
- NIPT-NGS test stands out from other tests as it can be done as early as in 10 weeks of pregnancy whereas the first-trimester screening is preferable between 11-13 weeks, thus NIPT provides more time to draw future decisions.
- Additionally, other serum marker tests have an accuracy rate of about 96% along with 5% of false positive scope whereas NIPT by NGS offers an accuracy greater than 99% with less than 1% of a false positive result, thereby explaining its high specificity and accuracy.
- Because of high accuracy, it greatly reduces the number of pregnancies which need invasive tests, as these can be screened prior and recommendation made if there is a need for invasive tests.
- The risk of sampling associated with NIPT is NIL.
What to understand from your results?
The results for NIPT can be low risk, high risk or need for re-sampling. Since this is a screening test, a high risk deems need for confirmation with invasive tests before drawing any obstetric decision.
NIPT – An answer to your unborn child’s health status
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