Hey! Are you looking for information on the NIPT test? Then it means you’re likely in the first trimester of pregnancy. Congratulations! Take a deep breath and be grateful that you have now come far on your pregnancy journey.
While this time brings joy and excitement, expectant parents might feel jittery or nervous about the newborn. Your doctor might have discussed non-invasive prenatal testing with you. All of a sudden, it may get real for every mother who has to choose whether they should know about the baby’s health or not.
We understand that deciding on the NIPT test can be challenging, and if the test somehow comes as unfavorable, it can be very difficult for expectant parents to decide. But another way to feel is that knowledge brings you power. We will make you understand what a NIPT test is which will help you to feel empowered to make the choices for yourself. The NIPT/NIPS Test Cost in India is usually at a significantly lower spectrum than other high-end tests.
NIPT Test Explained
Non-invasive prenatal testing is performed on expected mothers during the first trimester. The test is an elective test that helps identify if your baby is at risk for chromosomal genetic abnormalities such as Down syndrome.
The test identifies the risk of chromosomal disorders such as:
- Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18)
- Patau syndrome (trisomy 13)
- Disorders caused by missing or duplicate X and Y chromosomes
The NIPT test is a blood test which screens tiny pieces of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from the placenta, which is present in the mother’s blood. CfDNA develops when these cells die or break down, releasing some DNA from the baby into the mother’s bloodstream.
It would be best if you understood that NIPT is a screening test and not a diagnostic test. This means that the best cannot diagnose a genetic condition with certainty. However, it can identify whether your child is at an increased risk of a genetic condition or not.
How the NIPT is done
Non-invasive prenatal testing is performed with a simple maternal blood draw, and therefore it does not pose any risk to your baby. Once the blood is drawn from the mother, it is sent to a molecular diagnostic lab, where the technicians will analyze the results. After the test results, a genetic counsellor or a doctor will counsel you from there.
Who should get the NIPT prenatal test?
Usually, the NIPT test is offered to all expecting women. However, there are also some other risk factors where doctors might ask you to undergo the test:
- maternal age of 35 or older
- family history of chromosomal abnormality
- a maternal or paternal chromosomal abnormality
Whether or not you want to have a NIPT screening is a very personal decision. Before you can, take your time to determine what’s best for you; however, if you’re finding it difficult to take the test, then you can always speak to a genetic counsellor that can help you address your concerns.
Finding what the NIPT test results mean
The NIPT measures the fetalcfDNA, which results from the baby’s cells in the placenta lying in the mother’s bloodstream. This is known as the fetal fraction. The fetal fraction must be over 4% to get the most accurate test results. That is why the doctors recommend the test in the first trimester of the pregnancy when the fetal fraction is higher.
If the cfDNA is more than the standard range, then it is positive, as the fetus has an increased risk of a genetic condition. Also, NIPT test does not give you 100% confirmation that your baby has a genetic abnormality. You would have to undergo further testing to confirm any true positive fetal chromosomal abnormality or a related disorder. We also want to mention here that getting a false negative NIPT result is usually rare.
