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What is Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)?
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a screening test done during pregnancy to check if your baby might have specific chromosomal abnormalities. It’s called non-invasive because it only involves taking a small sample of your blood, which contains tiny fragments of your baby’s DNA.These fragments, known as cell-free DNA (cfDNA), come from the placenta and have almost the same genetic makeup as your baby. When doctors analyse this DNA, they can get a clear idea of whether your baby is more likely to have specific genetic conditions. It’s a safe and reliable way to get important information without any added worry or risk.
What Does the Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Screen For?
The NIPT test in pregnancy mainly looks for a few specific genetic conditions that can affect your baby’s growth and development. These are some of the most common ones it checks for:- Down syndrome (trisomy 21): Caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, leading to intellectual disabilities and possible heart defects.
- Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome): An extra chromosome 18, often causing severe developmental issues.
- Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome): A rare condition due to an extra chromosome 13. It can result in serious birth defects.
- Sex chromosome abnormalities: Conditions like Turner syndrome (missing X chromosome) or Klinefelter syndrome (extra X chromosome).
Why is Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Done?
The NIPT test in pregnancy helps you and your doctor understand whether your baby might have a higher or lower chance of having certain chromosomal conditions.It’s often recommended if:
- You’re over 35 years old, as the risk of chromosomal issues increases with age.
- You have a family history of genetic conditions.
- You’ve had a previous pregnancy with a chromosomal abnormality.
- An ultrasound or other screening test showed something unusual.
When Should You Take Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing?
You can take the NIPT test once you reach about 10 weeks of pregnancy, and it can be done anytime after that, right up until delivery. The main reason doctors wait until around the 10th week is that your blood needs to have enough of your baby’s DNA for the test to work accurately. This is called the “foetal fraction,” and it’s usually sufficient by the 10th week.If you take the test too early, there might not be enough DNA to analyse properly, which could lead to an unclear or “no result” outcome.
How is Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Performed?
The NIPT process is simple and doesn’t take much effort on your part. This is what usually happens step by step.Consultation
You’ll first meet your doctor or a genetic counsellor to talk about why the test is being done and what kind of information it can give.Ultrasound (if needed)
Before the test, your doctor might do a quick ultrasound to confirm that your pregnancy is at least 10 weeks along.Blood Draw
A small amount of blood is taken from a vein in your arm. It feels just like a regular blood test. You might have mild discomfort or a tiny bruise afterward, but that’s all.Lab Analysis
Your blood sample is then sent to a specialised lab. There, scientists separate and study your baby’s DNA to look for any signs of chromosomal abnormalities.Results
You’ll usually get your results within one to two weeks. Once they’re ready, your doctor will go through them with you, explain what they mean, and discuss any next steps if something unusual shows up.How Accurate is Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing?
NIPT is known for being one of the most accurate screening tests for checking chromosomal conditions in a baby. For Down syndrome (trisomy 21), it has over 99 per cent accuracy, meaning it detects nearly all cases with very few false positives.Even though the test is highly accurate, it’s important to remember that NIPT is still a screening test, not a diagnostic one. So while it can tell you if there’s a higher or lower chance of a chromosomal difference, it can’t give a definite answer. A “high-risk” result means further testing is needed to confirm whether the condition is present.
The NIPT test in pregnancy is a safe and reliable way to learn about your baby’s genetic health early on. It gives you clear information about certain chromosomal conditions without putting your baby at any risk.
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FAQs on How Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Helps You Learn About Your Baby’s Chromosomes
- What is the cost of the NIPT test in India?
The cost of the NIPT test in India usually ranges between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000. - What are the limitations of the NIPT test in pregnancy?
The NIPT test can give false results, doesn’t detect all genetic or structural issues, and may be less accurate in twin or high-risk pregnancies.