How the NIPT Test Helps Detect Genetic Conditions Without Risk

NIPT is a non-invasive technique of predicting the genetic abnormalities of a child. The NIPT test is a simple process and risk-free screening test that helps to find out about Down syndrome, Edward syndrome, and Patau syndrome. Anyone who is 10 weeks pregnant can detect the possibilities of chromosomal abnormalities 99% accurately by NIPT test. Medgenome provides safe and reliable NIPT tests to help find genetic problems early in pregnancy.

Function of NIPT test

The NIPT test analyzes the cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from the maternal bloodstream and predicts the high or low chance of trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome), or trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome). It gives the most accurate result in predicting down syndrome but slightly differs in the case of Edwards and Patau’s syndrome.

What are Down syndrome, Patau syndrome, or Edwards syndrome?

Human cells normally have 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 in total). Each pair comes from both of the parents, but in the trisomy syndrome fetus’s cell has one extra chromosome, maybe at the 13th, 18th, or 21st position, which increases the total number of chromosomes to 47 in the cell instead of 46.

The Trisomy 21 syndrome occurs due to the presence of three copies of chromosome at the position 21 instead of two (down syndrome).
Trisomy 13 occurs when there are three copies chromosome present at position 13 instead of two (Patau syndrome).
Trisomy 18 syndrome occurs when a fetus has three copies of chromosome 18 instead of two (Edwards syndrome).

Safe and accurate detection by NIPT test

NIPT test is a completely safe procedure for predicting any chromosomal syndrome possibilities of the fetus. NIPT test is performed on 10th week of pregnancy by taking a blood sample from your arm. This is an invasive technique and does not require any surgical intervention. The collected sample is analyzed in the laboratory for detecting chromosomal abnormalities. The result of NIPT test usually takes 5-6 business days.

How to interpret NIPT results

NIPT test results are categorized mainly in three sections, such as “low chance,” “high chance,” or “no call result.” In case of low chance, there is no significant likelihood of trisomy syndrome in your baby. You may be advised to take CVS or amniocentesis test in case the NIPT test results come “high chance” indicating that the fetus has an increased likelihood of trisomy syndrome. “No call result” indicates that the test may have a technical fault and needs to be done again. Normally, the NIPT test gives accurate results if cfDNA is present in the bloodstream above 4%.

NIPT is a non-invasive mechanism for detecting the genetic condition of the baby at the 10th week of pregnancy. It provides helpful information by simple screening procedures and helps to make careful decisions. It is a safe, conclusive technique that does not have any adverse effect on the child and mother.