NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) otherwise known as NIPD (Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis) is used to analyze the cell-free fetal DNA which is circulated in maternal blood.

1. NIPT(Non-InvasivePrenatal Testing) otherwise knownasNIPD(Non-Invasive Prenatal Diagnosis) is
usedto analyze the cell-freefetal DNA whichiscirculatedinmaternal blood.Thiscandetectany
abnormal chromosomal activityinthe developingbaby.Thisisanew wayin prenatal screeningand
testingparadigmforvariousfetal chromosomal aneuploidies.Thistestcan detectthe riskof trisomy
21, trisomy18, sex chromosomal abnormalitiesetc.The testcan alsogive informationof Rhesus
bloodtype andthe sex of the baby. However,thistestisapplicable onlyforwomenwithriskfactor.
The Non-InvasivePrenatal Diagnosiscanbenefityouwithvariousfactorsandcanavoidothertest
whichcan riskthe pregnancy.Onlyahealthcare providerorthe geneticcounsellorcandiscusson
whetherthe NIPTisnecessaryforanypatientor not.
Periodof NIPT Test-
Generally,NIPTtestisperformedbetween10-22 weeksof pregnancy.Itisnecessarytosurpass10
weeksof pregnancytogetapt results.Resultscantake up to one weekormore.
Pros of NIPT –
ExecutingNIPTcanhelpyouavoid varioustestslike Amniocentesis,ChorionicVillussampling(CVS).
These testscarry slightriskof miscarriage whereas NIPTScanisa safe test.
Healthcare providersmightrecommendthisif youhave –
 Riskfactor on babydiagnosedwithchromosomal condition
 You are a carrier of an X-linkedrecessive disorder
 Your bloodisan Rh negative bloodtype
 Abnormal serumscan
 Anyfamilyorpersonal historyof aneuploidy
 Advancedmaternal age
These entire factors canbe recognizedduringthistest. Fornow the testis recommendforwomen
withhighriskof carryingbaby.
Side Effects–
Non-invasiveprenatal testinghasnorisk relatedtophysical condition of the womenandbaby. It
mightcause anxietyormay alsoresultinextramonitoring duringpregnancy. Itmaynotdetector
screenfewchromosomal orgenetic condition.
NIPT Testing–
One can check withthe healthcare providerif youcan undergoNIPTscanor not. If yes,then the
providerexplainsvariousresultsandtheirmeaningforyouandthe baby.You shouldalsoclearall
your concernsandquestionsbefore undergoingthistest.
Samplesrequiredfor NT scan –
For Non-Invasive prenataltesting(Down syndrometest),the maternal bloodstreamsample istaken,
analyzedwiththe maternal andfetal DNA inthe bloodsample.Majorlyababyfacestrisomy21 most
commondownsyndrome amongbabies.

2. Resultsof the Harmony Test –
The resultof this NTScan shall resultin3 differentcategories –
 Chromosomal conditions
 Fetal sex
 Rh Factor
Chromosomal condition -
If the chromosomal conditionof the babyisnormal,nofurthertestingisrequired.If some
chromosomal conditionisdetected,thendoctorsmightadviseothertestlikeCVSand
amniocentesis.
Fetal sex –
If the patientshave X-linkedrecessivedisorder,the testwillbe screenedandif the womanis
carryinga girl baby,no furthertestingisrequired.Perhapsif the womanis carryingaboy baby,then
furthertestlike CVSoramniocentesisis recommendedtothem. These tests canbe used todiagnose
othergeneticdisorder.
Rh factor –
If the testresultsthatyouare Rh Negative andthe babytoo are Rh negative,thennofurthertesting
isrequired.The bodycan produce Rhantibodieswithnoharm.However,if motherisRhnegative
and the babyis Rh positive,thenthe babyisclosely monitored forsensitized.
Therefore,this IONA®testcanbe performedinsteadof CVSandamniocentesistoavoidthe riskof
miscarriage andyetfigure outthe riskand resultof both the motherandchild.