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Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
Prenatal investigations are tests performed during pregnancy to assess whether a fetus may have certain genetic or chromosomal abnormalities.
What Are Prenatal Investigations?
Prenatal investigations are tests performed during pregnancy to assess whether a fetus may have certain genetic or chromosomal abnormalities. These examinations support informed medical decisions and help identify potential risks before birth.
Prenatal testing is generally divided into two complementary categories:
Screening tests
Diagnostic tests
These two types of tests work together to assess risk and, when necessary, confirm or exclude specific conditions.
Screening Prenatal Tests
Screening prenatal tests include:
Ultrasound examinations
Biochemical laboratory tests
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
Screening tests have several important characteristics:
They are safe for both the pregnant woman and the fetus .
Their purpose is to assess whether there is an increased risk of certain genetic or chromosomal abnormalities.
If a higher risk is identified, further diagnostic testing may be recommended to confirm or rule out the suspected condition.
Different screening methods vary in their ability to detect specific conditions. For example:
Ultrasound is particularly effective in identifying anatomical abnormalities.
NIPT is currently the most accurate prenatal screening method for detecting common fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
Diagnostic Prenatal Tests
Diagnostic prenatal testing includes procedures such as:
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
Amniocentesis
These tests are typically performed:
Between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy (CVS)
Between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy (amniocentesis)
Diagnostic tests are used to confirm or exclude a specific genetic abnormality suggested by screening results.
Because these procedures are invasive, they carry a small risk of miscarriage (approximately 1 in 200 ). For this reason, diagnostic prenatal tests are not routinely performed in all pregnancies, but are recommended only when screening tests indicate a higher risk .
What Is NIPT and Why Choose It?
NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) is a non-invasive screening test , meaning it does not pose risks to the pregnancy , unlike invasive procedures such as amniocentesis.