NIPT Test

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

What Symptoms May Call for a NIPT Test?

NIPT is usually recommended based on pregnancy-related risk factors, not because you have specific symptoms:

• Advanced maternal age, especially if you are 35 years or older
• A high-risk result in a dual marker, quadruple marker or other prenatal screening test
• Concerning findings on an ultrasound scan
• Previous pregnancy affected by a chromosomal abnormality
• Family history of certain chromosomal conditions
• Your doctor’s recommendation for early, non-invasive prenatal screening

Who Should Get a NIPT Test?

This test may be useful for you if your doctor advises prenatal chromosomal screening:

• You are pregnant and want early screening for common chromosomal abnormalities.
• You are 10 weeks pregnant or more, as advised by your doctor.
• You have advanced maternal age or another pregnancy risk factor.
• You have a high-risk dual marker or quadruple marker screening result.
• Your ultrasound report shows findings that need further risk assessment.
• You want a non-invasive screening option before considering invasive diagnostic tests.

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?

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Accurate Laboratory Testing
   Your sample is processed using next generation sequencing at specialised molecular pathology facilities, where expert teams follow validated testing protocols.
5. 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 shows whether the screened chromosomal conditions are reported as low risk or high risk. 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.

Understanding Abnormal NIPT Test Results by Parameter

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.

Diseases That A NIPT Test Can Help Detect

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:

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.