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Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
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We each typically have 23 pairs of chromosomes. NIPT tests for a few conditions in the baby where an entire extra copy of a chromosome is present or missing. As NIPT does not analyse all of the baby’s chromosomes and DNA, testing cannot exclude other genetic, chromosome or other health conditions.
The test can be done earlier than publically funded screening in New zealand, as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy.
NIPT will test for conditions including Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edward syndrome (Trisomy 18), Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13) and certain sex chromosome variations. NIPT is highly accurate for the chromosome conditions that it tests for. The accuracy of the test, however, is not 100%. There are also differences in the accuracy, depending on the chromosome condition. For example, the result for Down syndrome may be more accurate than for the other chromosome conditions tested for.
NIPT will test for conditions including Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edward syndrome (Trisomy 18), Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13) and certain sex chromosome variations. NIPT is highly accurate for the chromosome conditions that it tests for. The accuracy of the test, however, is not 100%. There are also differences in the accuracy, depending on the chromosome condition. For example, the result for Down syndrome may be more accurate than for the other chromosome conditions tested for.
NIPT is therefore only a screening test and if the NIPT result shows that the baby is at high risk of having a chromosome condition, it is lmportant that a diagnostic test is performed, such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis, before any decisions are made about continuing the pregancy.
It is possibile that following testing, no results are given. This may be because there is not enough fetal DNA in the mother’s blood, or there is difficulty finding fetal DNA in the mother’s blood.Genomic doctor can help you identify if NIPT testing is suitable for you and oragnise testing for you if you wish.