How the NIPT Test in Pregnancy Offers Peace of Mind to Expecting Parents
During the period of pregnancy, health physicians suggest pregnant women do various tests to assess the health of the baby. Chromosomal abnormalities in a fetus may result in inborn critical diseases that may incur premature death or miscarriage. With the mother’s age, the chances of chromosomal abnormalities within the child also increase. NIPT test in pregnancy is one of the vital tests that are prescribed by the doctors to the women after the 10th week of pregnancy. It helps to identify whether the fetus has any chance of getting affected by the chromosomal abnormalities or not.
NIPT test for early prediction
Normally, women above 35 years of age are prescribed to do a NIPT test in pregnancy to identify if the child has any chromosomal disabilities such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edward syndrome (trisomy 18), or Patau syndrome (trisomy 13). The positive results of NIPT give relaxation and make the expected parent tension free and the negative results of NIPT tests help parents to take necessary medication as prescribed by health physicians.
Process of NIPT Test In Pregnancy
The process of NIPT Test In Pregnancy is very simple and does not have a complicated testing procedure. It takes the blood sample to analyze the cell-free DNA (cfDNA) released from the placenta and identify the chromosomal abnormalities that may cause Down syndrome, Edward syndrome, or Patau syndrome. The test is usually done after 10th week of pregnancy because during this period mother’s bloodstream contains sufficient amount of cfDNA due to pregnancy, and it can be easily analyzed for prediction.
What NIPT Test In Pregnancy Can’t Predict
NIPT Test In Pregnancy gives the likelihood of the baby having chromosomal abnormality syndrome. It indicates the chances of having the syndrome in terms of positive or negative results. The positive results of NIPT Test In Pregnancy further require diagnostic testing such as CVS (amniocentesis) to get final confirmation on the chances. NIPT tests in pregnancy cannot predict cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, neural tube defects, or other types of chromosomal abnormalities.
The NIPT test in pregnancy gives 99% accurate results, and rarely it gives false positive or false negative results. It is done simply by taking blood sample from a pregnant woman. No fasting or specific medication is required before this test. However, the NIPT test is a screening test, so the health physician may suggest you undergo further diagnostic tests for reconfirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When NIPT Test In Pregnancy is done?
NIPT Test In Pregnancy is usually done after 10th week of pregnancy to help expected parents to make earlier predictions about their child’s health.
Is the NIPT test in pregnancy safe?
Yes. The NIPT test is a completely safe process. It does not harm anyone, mother or child. It takes the cfDNA from the blood sample and gives the result.
What should I do if the NIPT Test In Pregnancy result is positive?
If the NIPT test in pregnancy result comes back positive, then there is a higher chance of a child with chromosomal abnormalities, and your health physician will suggest you undergo further diagnostic tests.
