Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing

Service Description

Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), sometimes called noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS), is a method of determining the risk that the fetus will be born with certain genetic abnormalities. This testing analyzes small fragments of DNA that are circulating in a pregnant woman’s blood. NIPT is considered noninvasive because it requires drawing blood only from the pregnant woman and does not pose any risk to the fetus. How it works: NIPT analyzes DNA fragments in the pregnant person's blood. These fragments are called cell-free DNA (cfDNA) because they're not inside cells. The cfDNA comes from the placenta, which is the tissue that connects the fetus to the mother's blood supply. The DNA in placental cells is usually identical to the DNA of the fetus. What it can detect: NIPT can detect the risk of Down syndrome, trisomy 13, trisomy 18, and other chromosomal abnormalities. It can also detect clues for Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, and triple X syndrome. NIPT can also predict the fetus's sex. When to get it: NIPT is offered to women who have been identified as having a higher chance of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality. It can be performed between 10 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. What to expect: It can take up to two weeks to get the results. If the results show a high risk, a diagnostic test like amniocentesis or CVS may be recommended.