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NIPT Test
Also Known As : Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing, NextGen NIPT, Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening, NIPS
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Brief Details
What is the NIPT Test?
The NIPT Test, also called Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing, is a highly accurate prenatal blood test that can be done from around the 10th week of pregnancy. It screens your baby’s risk for certain chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., Down, Edwards, and Patau syndromes) by analysing small fragments of cell-free placental DNA that circulate in the mother’s bloodstream. Since it only requires a blood sample from the mother, it is non-invasive and does not pose a miscarriage risk.
The test primarily screens for common fetal aneuploidies, including trisomy 21, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13, which are clinically associated with Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome, respectively. It also screens for sex chromosome aneuploidies such as XO, XXX, XXY, XYY and XXYY. The gender/sex of the fetus is not disclosed, in accordance with the PC-PNDT Act, 2003.
NIPT is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. This means it can indicate whether there is a high or low risk of certain chromosomal conditions, but it cannot confirm them. A high-risk result should be followed by genetic counselling and, if advised by your doctor, diagnostic testing such as CVS or amniocentesis.
What Does a NIPT Test Measure?
The NIPT Test helps your doctor assess chromosomal risk in your pregnancy by studying cell-free DNA in your blood:
- Common Trisomy Screening: Screens for trisomy 21, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13, which occur when there is an extra copy of a chromosome.
- Down Syndrome Risk Assessment: Helps assess the risk of trisomy 21, one of the most common chromosomal conditions screened during pregnancy.
- Edwards and Patau Syndrome Risk Assessment: Helps assess the risk of trisomy 18 and trisomy 13, which are serious chromosomal conditions.
- Sex Chromosome Aneuploidy Screening: Screens for conditions such as XO, XXX, XXY, XYY and XXYY where clinically applicable. Foetal sex is not revealed.
- Foetal Fraction: Measures the percentage of foetal or placental DNA present in your blood sample, which helps assess whether the test has enough DNA to generate a reliable result.
- Pregnancy Risk Guidance: Supports your doctor in deciding whether further counselling, ultrasound review or diagnostic testing may be needed.
NIPT Test: Who Needs It and Why It’s Done
Who Should Consider an NIPT Test?
- Advanced Maternal Age: May be advised if you are 35 years or older, as chromosomal risk can increase with maternal age.
- High-Risk Screening Result: May be recommended if your dual marker, quadruple marker or other prenatal screening test shows a high-risk result.
- Ultrasound Findings: May be useful if your ultrasound scan shows findings that need further chromosomal risk assessment.
- Previous Affected Pregnancy: May be advised if you had a previous pregnancy affected by a chromosomal abnormality.
- Family History: May be recommended if there is a family history of certain chromosomal conditions.
- 10 Weeks or More of Pregnancy: NIPT is usually considered from 10 weeks of pregnancy or later, as advised by your doctor.
- Non-Invasive Screening Option: May help assess chromosomal risk before considering invasive diagnostic tests such as CVS or amniocentesis.
- Doctor’s Recommendation: Should be done when your doctor advises early prenatal chromosomal screening based on your pregnancy profile.
Why is a NIPT Test Done?
The NIPT Test is done to screen your baby’s risk of selected chromosomal abnormalities using only your blood sample. It helps your doctor guide pregnancy care, counselling and the need for further diagnostic testing if required.
Importance of NIPT Test
The NIPT Test is important because it provides early, non-invasive information about chromosomal risk during pregnancy. Unlike invasive procedures such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, this test only needs a blood sample from you and does not directly enter the womb.
A low-risk result can offer reassurance, while a high-risk result helps your doctor plan the next step, such as genetic counselling, detailed ultrasound review or confirmatory diagnostic testing. Since NIPT is a screening test, your result should always be interpreted along with your clinical history, ultrasound findings and your doctor’s advice.
NIPT Test Booking & Reports - Metropolis Healthcare
How to Book the NIPT Test and Get Your Reports?
- Simple Booking Guidance
Booking can be done through the Metropolis Healthcare App or website. Select the NIPT Test and follow the guidance provided. Since this test requires a special Streck tube and mandatory documents, home sample collection is not available. - Required Document Review
You need to carry a completed NIPT TRF and consent form with clinician stamp, ultrasound report, dual and quadruple marker report, and photo identification proof. These documents help ensure correct test processing and reporting. - Safe Sample Collection
Your maternal blood sample is collected by trained staff in a special Streck tube. The collection process is similar to a routine blood test and is completed within a few minutes. - Accurate Laboratory Testing
Your sample is processed using next generation sequencing at specialised molecular pathology facilities, where expert teams follow validated testing protocols. - Quick & Easy Reports
Receive your test reports via email, WhatsApp, or by downloading them directly from the Metropolis Healthcare website or app.
Is Home Sample Collection for NIPT Test Available Near You?
No. Home sample collection is not available for the NIPT Test. This test needs a special Streck tube and mandatory documentation, including the completed NIPT TRF, consent form, clinician stamp, ultrasound report, dual and quadruple marker report, and photo identification proof. Metropolis Healthcare guides you to the appropriate collection process to help ensure correct sample handling and reporting.
In how much time will I get NIPT Test report?
Reports are usually available after 8 days once the sample reaches the lab.
Note: Reporting time may vary based on your location.
Where can I see or get NIPT Test results?
Test results from Metropolis Healthcare can be accessed through multiple convenient channels. You can log in to the Metropolis website using your credentials or use the Metropolis Healthcare App to view and download your reports. Additionally, test reports are sent via email or WhatsApp and you also have the option to collect a physical copy directly from the lab.
Interpreting NIPT Test Results
What Your NIPT Test Results May Indicate?
Your NIPT Test result may report the screened chromosomal conditions as low risk, high risk, or inconclusive if there is insufficient foetal fraction. It is important to remember that NIPT is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. A high-risk result needs confirmatory testing and genetic counselling.
|
Result Component |
What It Means |
|
Screening Result: Low Risk |
Indicates a low chance of the screened chromosomal abnormalities in the pregnancy |
|
Screening Result: High Risk |
Indicates a higher chance of a screened chromosomal abnormality and requires further medical review |
|
Foetal Fraction |
Shows the percentage of foetal or placental DNA in your blood sample. Adequate foetal fraction is needed for reliable screening |
|
Chromosome 21 |
Low risk means a low chance of trisomy 21, which is associated with Down syndrome |
|
Chromosome 18 |
Low risk means a low chance of trisomy 18, which is associated with Edwards syndrome |
|
Chromosome 13 |
Low risk means a low chance of trisomy 13, which is associated with Patau syndrome |
|
Sex Chromosome Aneuploidies |
Low risk means a low chance of the screened sex chromosome conditions. Foetal sex is not revealed as per the PC-PNDT Act |
Understanding Abnormal NIPT Test Results by Parameter
|
Parameter |
Abnormal Result May Indicate |
What Your Doctor May Advise |
|
Chromosome 21 |
Increased risk of trisomy 21, associated with Down syndrome |
Genetic counselling, ultrasound review and confirmatory diagnostic testing |
|
Chromosome 18 |
Increased risk of trisomy 18, associated with Edwards syndrome |
Specialist consultation and confirmatory diagnostic testing |
|
Chromosome 13 |
Increased risk of trisomy 13, associated with Patau syndrome |
Specialist consultation and confirmatory diagnostic testing |
|
Sex Chromosome Aneuploidies |
Increased risk of conditions such as XO, XXX, XXY, XYY or XXYY |
Genetic counselling and further clinical evaluation |
|
Low or Insufficient Foetal Fraction |
The sample may not have enough foetal DNA for reliable screening |
Repeat sampling or further advice based on your doctor’s assessment |
Next Steps After Receiving NIPT Results
Your NIPT result helps your doctor decide whether any further evaluation may be needed during pregnancy:
- Low-Risk Result: Usually means the chance of the screened chromosomal conditions is low. Your doctor will continue routine pregnancy care as advised.
- High-Risk Result: Does not confirm a condition, but indicates that further evaluation may be needed with your obstetrician or a genetic counsellor.
- Genetic Counselling: Helps you understand what the result means, what it does not mean and which next steps may be suitable for your pregnancy.
- Detailed Ultrasound Review: Your doctor may recommend a detailed ultrasound scan to look for any findings that need closer assessment.
- Confirmatory Diagnostic Testing: If required, your doctor may advise diagnostic tests such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis to confirm the result.
- Chorionic Villus Sampling: CVS may be performed in the first trimester to test placental cells for chromosomal or genetic conditions.
- Amniocentesis: Amniocentesis is usually performed later in pregnancy to test amniotic fluid for chromosomal or genetic conditions.
How Should You Prepare for a NIPT Test?
The NIPT Test needs simple preparation, but correct documents are essential:
- No fasting required: You can eat and drink normally before the test.
- Follow pregnancy timing: The test is usually done from 10 weeks of pregnancy onwards, as advised by your doctor.
- Carry required documents: Bring the completed NIPT TRF and consent form with clinician stamp, ultrasound report, dual and quadruple marker report, and photo identification proof.
- Share pregnancy details: Inform your doctor and the lab team about your gestational age, pregnancy status and relevant clinical history.
- Inform your doctor about special situations: Tell your doctor if you have had a recent blood transfusion, organ transplant, stem cell therapy, multiple pregnancy or any major medical condition.
- Continue medicines as advised: Do not stop any prescribed medicine unless your doctor specifically tells you to.
- Plan centre-based collection: Home sample collection is not available for this test, so follow the collection instructions shared at the time of booking.
How Is a NIPT Test Done? (Step-by-Step Procedure)
The NIPT Test follows a safe maternal blood collection and specialised laboratory testing process:
- Registration: Your test details, pregnancy information and required documents are checked before sample collection.
- Consent Review: The completed NIPT TRF and consent form are verified along with your clinician’s stamp and supporting reports.
- Preparation: An elastic band is tied around your upper arm to make your veins easier to locate.
- Cleaning: The puncture site is cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
- Blood Draw: A sterile needle is inserted into your vein to collect the blood sample.
- Sample Collection: About 10 ml of maternal blood is collected in a special Streck tube.
- Completion: The needle is removed, and a small bandage is applied to the site.
- Processing: Your sample is sent to the molecular pathology laboratory for next generation sequencing analysis.
- Reporting: Your report is reviewed and issued with risk assessment for the screened chromosomal conditions.
Conditions That May Affect NIPT Test Accuracy
Several patient-related and pregnancy-related factors can influence your NIPT Test result:
- Testing too early: Taking the test before the advised gestational age may lead to low foetal fraction and unreliable results.
- Low foetal fraction: If there is not enough foetal or placental DNA in your blood sample, the test may need to be repeated.
- Higher maternal body weight: A higher body weight may reduce the proportion of foetal DNA in the blood and affect reportability.
- Multiple pregnancy factors: Twin pregnancy, vanishing twin or uncertain pregnancy status can make result interpretation more complex.
- Recent transfusion or transplant: A recent blood transfusion, organ transplant or stem cell therapy can affect cell-free DNA patterns.
- Maternal chromosomal or medical conditions: Some maternal genetic findings or serious medical conditions may influence the result.
- Placental differences: Since NIPT analyses placental DNA, rare placental chromosomal differences can cause results that may not fully match the foetus.
- Incomplete clinical details: Incorrect gestational age, missing ultrasound information or incomplete consent forms may delay or affect reporting.
Conditions That a NIPT Test Can Help Screen For
The NIPT Test helps screen for the risk of selected chromosomal conditions during pregnancy:
- Down Syndrome: Caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, also called trisomy 21.
- Edwards Syndrome: Caused by an extra copy of chromosome 18, also called trisomy 18.
- Patau Syndrome: Caused by an extra copy of chromosome 13, also called trisomy 13.
- Turner Syndrome: Linked to missing or altered X chromosome material, reported as XO in screening categories.
- Triple X Syndrome: A sex chromosome aneuploidy involving an extra X chromosome.
- Klinefelter Syndrome: A sex chromosome aneuploidy commonly associated with XXY.
-
XYY and XXYY Conditions: Sex chromosome aneuploidies that may be included in the screening panel.
NIPT Test Price in Different Cities
The cost of a NIPT Test may vary depending on your location. Here's a table showing the approximate price range for the NIPT Test at Metropolis Healthcare in major Indian cities:
|
City |
Approximate Cost (INR) |
|
₹ 16,000 to ₹ 17,000 |
|
|
₹ 16,000 to ₹ 17,000 |
|
|
₹ 16,000 to ₹ 17,000 |
|
|
₹ 16,000 to ₹ 17,000 |
The NIPT Test cost may vary depending on the city and the specific tests included in the panel. However, Metropolis Healthcare offers competitive NIPT Test prices across major cities in India.
Frequently asked questions
Find quick answers to the most common questions about health tests, bookings, and reports.
The NIPT Test is usually done from 10 weeks of pregnancy onwards, as advised by your doctor. It is best done after your first scan and with the required pregnancy documents.
No. Overnight fasting is not required for the NIPT Test. You can eat and drink normally before your blood sample is collected.
Mild dehydration usually does not change chromosomal screening results, but it can make blood collection more difficult. Drink water normally before the test unless your doctor advises otherwise.
No special diet is needed. Continue your medicines unless your doctor tells you to stop them. Inform your doctor about your medicines, pregnancy details and any major recent medical treatment.
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Metropolis Healthcare is a leading diagnostic service provider in India. We are a team of dedicated professionals committed to ensuring you and your family receive the most accurate and timely healthcare solutions. We believe in making health care accessible, affordable and evidence-based. Our expert panel are equipped with the latest technology and manned by a certified team of over 4000+ technicians.
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View your reports and upcoming health checkups at one place.
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