Non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT)
Examination of the free fetal DNA
This is a new method of screening for Down syndrome (mongolism or trisomy 21) based on the examination of the free fetal genetic material (DNA) that circulates in the mother’s blood. This method can identify about 99% of Down syndrome and since it is not invasive there is no increased risk of miscarriage.
The examination of the cell free fetal DNA is not diagnostic. If the result is low risk the chance of the baby having Down syndrome is minimized. However if the result is high risk an invasive test is required in order to establish the diagnosis. The test can be performed after the 10th week of the pregnancy and the results are available in about two weeks. The test can identify some other more rare chromosomal abnormalities, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13 with detection rates of about 97% and 80% respectively.
