Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing
Non-Invasive Prenatal Test is test of fetal DNA within the mother’s blood. It is use to detect babies with chromosomal anomalies.
It remains a screening test despite being very accurate particularly when negative result. This means that if negative, it is a very reassuring result. If positive result, then there is a high chance of the baby is having a chromosomal anomalies.
The test is done at 10 weeks of pregnancy onwards.
The different types of tests by different companies’ e.g. VERIFI and HARMONY, all essentially provide the same thing: a highly accurate SCREENING METHOD for determining your baby’s likelihood of having a genetic abnormality. They do vary, however, in what they measure and what genetic abnormalities they test for.
- Trisomy 13 – Patau’s syndrome
- Trisomy 18 – Edward’s syndrome
- Trisomy 21 – Down syndrome
Sex chromosome abnormalities involving X and Y chromosomes
Some tests can identify other less common genetic abnormalities caused by mutations called “MICRODELETIONS”, such as Angelman and Prader-Willy Syndromes. This additional testing usually incurs extra costs. Your doctor may recommend one or the other in special circumstances.
