Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), also known as the noninvasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD), is a screening method for detecting certain specific chromosomal abnormalities in a developing baby. Noninvasive prenatal testing is a sophisticated blood test that examines fetal DNA in the maternal bloodstream to determine whether your baby is at risk of Down syndrome, extra sequences of chromosome 13 (trisomy 13), extra sequences of chromosome 18 (trisomy 18) or a sex chromosome abnormality, such as Turner syndrome. The testing can also be used to determine a rhesus (Rh) blood type.
Noninvasive prenatal testing is much more sensitive and specific than traditional first and second-trimester screening. As a result, noninvasive testing can often help women who have certain risk factors avoid invasive testing, such as: Amniocentesis. During this procedure, a small sample of the fluid that…
