NIPT or Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing in Mumbai at Matrnity (Powered by Thyrocare) is one of the essential and preliminary fetal care blood test facility carried out for the detection of chromosomal abnormalities. It examines the presence of Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), Patau Syndrome (Trisomy 13) as well as Edwards’ Syndrome (Trisomy 18). Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing is now prominently available in a majority of Tier-I as well as Tier-II cities overall India. It’s a safe screening test based on which your doctor recommends taking further (necessary) steps.
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) in Mumbai
What is Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)?
It’s a simple (screening) blood test appropriate for a pregnant woman who is in her 10th week of the gestation period. The Non-Invasive Prenatal Test at Matrnity (Powered by Thyrocare) measures the free circulating fetal-DNA in the mother’s blood. NIPT is safe as well as a crucial test. There is no harm to the fetus and it helps in determining whether the baby has any of these genetic disorders – Down, Edwards’ or the Patau Syndrome. It can, in fact, test for several other chromosomal abnormalities too.
This kind of prenatal detection is much superior in comparison with the traditional forms. An attendant collects blood samples from the arm which leaves no scope of injuring the unborn baby. If the test results in a low risk, there’s no additional examination required. But if the risk is high, doctors/ hospital authorities go for further diagnosis as well as procedures. This ensures 100% accuracy. The results at our facility come out in just a few days after which the discussion between the patient as well as the doctor is important to be able to accommodate additional care.
Is the NIPT test safe?
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing is an advanced technique. It examines majorly three kinds of trisomy conditions – Down syndrome, Edwards’ Syndrome as well as the Patau Syndrome. Since NIPT is a screening test, it’s a safe procedure. There’s no risk to the pregnancy and is about 99% accurate. In the case of a higher risk result, diagnostic tests provide definitive results.
NIPT is a highly sensitive and a specialized test hence only a few licensed authorities are deemed to perform it. This makes the test very much reliable as well as safe.
How is the NIPT helpful?
First things first, Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is arranged only after the 10th week of a woman’s pregnancy. The blood draw makes use of the cfDNA (cell-free fetal-DNA) to gather the results. So basically, NIPT looks into the genetic material releasing from the placenta into the mother’s bloodstream. This genetic material is the same as the baby’s genetic information.
Therefore, the patient’s blood sample helps us gain insight over the unborn baby’s genetic composition. 99% of the cases flag correctly. And, these are accompanied by ultrasound/ sonography in the 12th or 14th week to ensure the baby’s size, health, physical defects, and other things. In a majority of cases, the results are negative. However, if these are positive, further tests and counselling will be recommended.
NIPT test at Matrnity (Powered by Thyrocare) helps in getting accurate results. It screens the possibility of whether or not the baby is affected by any chromosomal anomalies. The risk of miscarriage is also minimum. And, if at all it’s a case of a pregnancy lapse, proper care is given. In short, the NIPT test is reliable, safe and helps determine any further procedures that might be performed if the results are positive.
When to do the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT)?
There are 23 pairs of chromosomes making a total of 46 individual molecules. 22 of these termed as autosomes are identical. However, it is the 23rd pair that differs amongst males as well as the females. This XX-XY pair is the sex-determining chromosome. In simple words, all of these 23 pairs make up for the human genome. However, when a patient has 3 copies of a chromosome instead of 2 in a pair, it leads to chromosomal disorders in the unborn child. But, how can one determine if Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is necessary? What qualifies a woman for such a test?
At Matrnity, a trusted centre for Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) in Mumbai, there are certain circumstances under which we recommend undergoing the test:
- Hereditary Reasons: If there’s a family history of Down syndrome or Trisomy 13 and 18, there’s a chance of inheriting the genetic risk.
- Miscarriage: Chromosomal abnormalities can result from frequent abortions or multiple miscarriages.
- Abnormalities With The First Baby: It is possible that when you’ve previously had a chromosomal aneuploidy, it can pass on to the next one too. Since such genetic problems run in the family, the next member is also at the risk of acquiring a defective DNA.
- Woman In Her 30s: If a woman is 32 years old or above, she may get the test done. The risk of any fetal abnormality is higher in women who are trying to conceive in their 30s.
- IVF Treatments: Due to the woman’s age along with the drugs used during the process, the risk of birth defects increase.
Other than that, it is after the 10th week of pregnancy that a woman can be tested for trisomy 13, 18 or 21. Ideally, NIPT can be performed between 10th to the 24th week of pregnancy. And, the results are out in 7-10 working days.
Why NIPT Test for Trisomy 13?
Why NIPT test for Trisomy 13 or Patau syndrome? It is a rare developmental abnormality where the patient has three copies of chromosome 13 resulting in cardiovascular, spinal as well as cognitive dysfunctionality. Other than that, the eyes can be poorly formed, the child may have an extra finger or toe and also have a cleft lip/ palate. Such pregnancies are at a higher risk, so NIPT helps understand what can be done hereafter.
Why NIPT Test for Trisomy 18?
NIPT Test for Trisomy 18 screens abnormalities related to Edwards’ syndrome. Trisomy 18 classifies as under:
- Distal 18q deletion syndrome
- Proximal 18q deletion syndrome
- Tetrasomy 18p
But, to understand the overall perspective, Trisomy 18 patient has an extra copy of chromosome 18 affecting several parts of the body. In medical terms, it leads to intrauterine growth retardation affecting major organs of the body even before the birth of the child. There’s a defect in the child’s jaw, head and fingers or fist. This can cause a miscarriage since such children have a lower chance of surviving due to life-threatening medical intricacies.
Why NIPT Test for Trisomy 21?
Trisomy 21 or Down syndrome is amongst the world’s leading causes of intellectual disabilities. Quite a few researches show that when a patient is at high risk for Down syndrome, other rare genetic infections, disorders or disabilities can also be present. To find that out, Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) becomes necessary.
Several types of research mention how there are more cases in which an extra copy of Chromosome 21 results in Down syndrome. On the other hand, there also are a few cases wherein during the reproduction process, Chromosome 21 attaches to another chromosome right next to it resulting in the condition.
Where to get NIPT test done in Mumbai?
If you are in Mumbai and want to go for a prenatal test like NIPT, we are here to help. Why choose us?
We, at Matrnity, one of the most trusted centres for Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) in Mumbai, make sure that all your prenatal/ antenatal needs are responsibly administered without having to trouble you for even the tiniest thing. Our centre ranks amongst the most reliable ones for Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) in Mumbai.
Team & Ease
We have a specialized team of experts that will seamlessly guide you through the process and aim for accuracy. All our tests are certified by recognized authorities. Each of the test menus intends on ensuring that just a single diagnostic prescription suffices a whole lot of mixed requirements.
Accuracy
We have a result/ accuracy rate of more than 90%. Our tests are affordable and easy to book. Depending upon how critical the test is, we take around 2 to 12 days for compiling the results.
PC-PNDT Certification
The Pre-Conception – Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques certificate for the genomic screening tests. Hence, under the prenatal screening category, Matrnity (Powered by Thyrocare) lab is PC-PNDT approved for performing the Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) procedure.
This ranks us amongst the Best Centers For NIPT Test in Mumbai.
How much does the NIPT test cost in Mumbai?
Pricing usually depends on the combination of tests you are going for. It can also vary from centre to centre. However, we at Matrnity, the top-most centre for Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) in Mumbai, have a fixed charge for the NIPT procedure. The NIPT screening at our laboratory is absolutely affordable and costs only ₹16,000.
Final words…
Since the advent of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing, it’s getting increasingly popular as the test is a much safer alternative. It helps in screening developmental abnormalities. So, when there’s a positive result from this screening test, a diagnostic test validates the further steps. In rare disorders or if the patient’s life is at risk, the doctors conclude on terminating the pregnancy. However, one has to make the decision much before the 20th week as per the Indian laws. So, conducting a NIPT test helps make the right decision as early as possible.
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing or NIPT can be carried out as early as in the 10th week of pregnancy. So, once you decide on taking the test and also fulfil the criteria, you can easily book the test online.
For Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) in Mumbai, simply log on to our WEBSITE. Click on THIS LINK. Or navigate to the ‘Bookings’ tab present right on top of the site. Fill in the required information and we’ll get in touch with you through a call or e-mail. The NIPT procedure has no potential intrauterine risk involved. Only about 10 ml of blood is required and the detection rate is 99.9% accurate.
Also Note: We do not perform gender identification test since it’s considered illegal by the Government of India.