NIPT

What is Noninvasive Prenatal Testing?

Non-invasive prenatal testing or NIPT is the method that detects the fetus’s possibility of having genetic abnormalities or chromosomal disorders. NIPT can only see the high and low risk of a genetic condition. This makes it a screening test instead of a diagnostic test. Sometimes the chromosome’s structure changes as a result of missing or duplicated segments of a chromosome. NIPT includes screening for such additional chromosomal disorders. It also detects Turner syndrome, Down syndrome, Edward syndrome, and patau syndrome.

Everything You Need to Know About Non-invasive Prenatal testing

Purpose | Procedure | Indications | Accuracy | Who may want it | Steps | Advantages | Cost

What does NIPT test for?

NIPT essentially looks for an additional or misplaced copy of the X and Y chromosomes known as sex chromosomes. It also detects Edward syndrome (trisomy 18, which is caused by an extra chromosome 18), patau syndrome (trisomy 13 as a result of an additional chromosome 13). And Down syndrome (trisomy 21, which is caused by an extra chromosome 21) can also get detected.

How is the NIPT done?

A simple blood test with the mother’s blood helps to determine any signs of abnormality. The doctor will match NIPT’s report with that of the mother’s first-trimester ultrasound or nuchal translucency screening. It will decide whether there is any need for further tests or not.

Indications for NIPT

High-risk women in pregnancy are advised to take NIPT. High-risk women include women with higher maternal age, I.e., above the age of 35, prior affected pregnancy, unusual fetal ultrasound detection. Another reason is when the serum screen report is positive, past personal or family history of a genetic disorder.

How accurate is NIPT result?

The result is usually 99% accurate because it is noticed that the condition affects less than 1% of all children born. A diagnostic test such as amniocentesis is much recommended along with NIPT to have an accurate result. A high possibility report is provided by the NIPT when a condition is absent in the fetus. NIPT is reliable than traditional screening tests.

Who it’s for and when it’s done?

NIPT is carried out between 9-10 weeks of gestation to the end of the pregnancy. Some parents opt for regular screening initially and then decide to get a NIPT if the traditional screening report comes with a high chance or positive rate. It is not recommended to go after a conventional screening if blood has been already collected for NIPT. For Extra information about the baby’s health, it is advised to take a nuchal translucency ultrasound in the first trisemister.

It is generally for women at a very mature age of childbirth above 35 years of age, a couple having a personal or family history of chromosomal deformities.

Steps involved in NIPT

It examines cell-free DNA from the mother’s blood sample, a combination of fetal and maternal DNA to screen for genetic disorders like Down syndrome, Edward syndrome, and patau syndrome. In the beginning, the plasma is separated from the mother’s blood. Cell-free DNA is then taken out from the plasma and then examined. Data is created from the composed cell-free DNA. Advanced research is finally applied to the data.

NIPT is recommended for high-risk mothers exposed to specific issues that arise the possibility of having a child with genetic deformities. It is a non-risky process where a simple blood test can detect chromosomal abnormalities (if any). The report is simply presented with a clear “yes” and “no”, and it is delivered within a very little time, which is advantageous as it makes sure of early treatment. It is especially very helpful for anxious mothers.

There are no highlights of certain genetic conditions in NIPT, making it a little reliable until conducting other tests such as amniocentesis or CVS. NIPT is not suggested when there are more than two fetuses in the womb, i.e., triplets, or quadruplets. Research has shown that NIPT induces termination in Down syndrome tendencies which is a social issue gaining concern with the increasing technical effect on our lifestyle.

Advantages of NIPT

1. NIPT’s risk factor is deficient as the process contains only collecting a blood sample from the mother. NIPT has a reputation for giving accurate results for maternal blood samples on high-risk and low-risk pregnant women. Amniocentesis is a very much recommended test along with NIPT to get a precise result. Still, it includes the risk of miscarriage and also sometimes it is not as promising inaccuracy as it claims to be.
2. It is a quick method to detect genetic abnormalities. It generally takes 10-14 days for a rapid answer to chromosomal deformities. The report is usually with “yes” or “no”. Quick delivery of the information helps couples a lot to proceed further.

NIPT test cost

A single test of NIPT initially prices at Rs.50, 000 to Rs.60, 000 in India which is now Rs.25,000. The initial high rate of the tests is because the doctors sent the samples abroad for examination. This is due to the lack of labs in India, but now some labs have started doing the tests within the country. It resulted in the lowering of the price.