NIPT: WHAT IS FREE FETAL DNA TESTING AND WHEN IS IT NEEDED IN PREGNANCY

18 August 20252′ read5 sections

CONTENTS

What is NIPT?
When is it done?
Advantages of NIPT
What you should know
Why choose NIPT?

NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing), also known as cell-free fetal DNA testing, is a modern, safe and highly accurate method of prenatal screening. Its purpose is to detect possible chromosomal problems in the baby from the early stages of pregnancy, without putting the mother or the baby at risk.

What is NIPT?

During pregnancy, small fragments of the baby's DNA circulate in the mother's blood. With NIPT, a simple blood sample is taken from the mother-to-be, and the cell-free fetal DNA is isolated and analysed. This test can detect chromosomal abnormalities with very high accuracy, such as:

Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18)
Patau syndrome (trisomy 13)
Sex chromosome abnormalities (X and Y)

When is it done?

NIPT can be carried out from the 10th week of pregnancy onwards. The procedure is simple, painless and carries no risk whatsoever to the pregnancy.

Advantages of NIPT

Non-invasive method (no amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling required)
High accuracy in detecting chromosomal abnormalities
Fast results (usually within 5–10 days)
Option to determine the baby's sex

What you should know

NIPT is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. If the result is positive, confirmation with a diagnostic method such as amniocentesis is usually recommended. It also does not detect every possible genetic condition, only specific chromosomal abnormalities.

Why choose NIPT?

Early and accurate information allows parents to prepare better and make the right decisions about their baby's health. At the Dr. Alexandros Traianos Centre for Reproductive Medicine & Fetal Medicine, we offer you thorough information and guidance, so that you know every detail of the process and feel confident at this important step in your pregnancy.

TAGSpregnancyprenatal screeningDown syndrome

ABOUT THE DOCTOR

Dr. Alexandros Traianos

Gynecologist · Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Fetal Medicine

He supports scientific excellence in clinical practice and recognizes the possibilities offered by modern reproductive methods to couples who wish to have a child of their own.

His profile

The content of this article is for information only and does not replace a medical examination and advice.

All articles

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

Infertility is defined as the failure to achieve conception after one year (or 6 months in the case of a woman over the age of 35) of normal, regular sexual intercourse. In other words, when a year has passed without the woman becoming pregnant, the couple should consult their treating physician, so that the cause preventing pregnancy can be identified and subsequently addressed. However, we should all be aware and not forget that age is the most critical factor for female fertility, and that an individualized approach to each couple is the "golden key" that solves the problem.

Of course not. In approximately one third of cases, infertility is due to the woman (female factor), while in another third of cases it is due to the man (male factor). In the remaining third, it is due to both partners (both the man and the woman) or even to unknown factors.

• alcohol • narcotic substances • environmental toxins, including pesticides and lead • smoking • health problems • medications • radiotherapy and chemotherapy • age

In general, specialists agree that the fact that a couple has already had a child may be considered evidence that, at least initially, there is no infertility problem. It is like a small test that has been carried out and shows that they “succeeded” at least once. On the other hand, however, we should be aware that circumstances may have changed in the meantime and that a problem may have developed (e.g., the man may have had an inflammation affecting the quality of his sperm, or something may have occurred that affects female fertility: an inflammation, gynecological surgery, an abortion, etc.). In any case, therefore, if a reasonable period of time (one year) passes and a couple is unable to achieve a pregnancy, then, with the help of their doctor, they should investigate whether a problem causing infertility has arisen.

Success rates vary at each IVF center. Very important factors also include the woman’s age, her hormone levels, and, of course, her husband’s sperm. In general, rates are around 45% or slightly higher for women up to 35 years of age.

The number of treatment cycles a woman may undergo is not fixed. It is certain that in our country there are highly qualified obstetrician-gynecologists and well-organized infertility treatment centers that provide excellent medical services in this field. Provided that the appropriate indications are present (e.g., ovaries that respond to stimulation treatment, a good-quality endometrium, etc.), the success rate—particularly with the use of newer techniques and biotechnological medicines, which demonstrate increased bioactivity compared with conventional urine-derived medicines—reaches a cumulative rate of approximately 65%–70% after 4 treatment cycles.

Egg retrieval takes 10–15 minutes, is not painful, is performed under sedation, and after the procedure is completed you can return to your activities.

The association between IVF medications and the risk of developing cancer is the greatest concern for women participating in these programs. However, numerous literature references gathered from reliable scientific studies and published in reputable medical journals worldwide are reassuring and do not confirm this concern.

At Dr. Traianos' Reproductive Medicine Center, we offer egg and sperm cryopreservation services for individuals who have a personal or medical reason and require this service. We use the most advanced vitrification technique for the freezing of sperm and eggs.

What is NIPT?

When is it done?

Advantages of NIPT

What you should know

Why choose NIPT?

The first step is a discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions most frequently.

When is a couple considered infertile?

Is infertility only a female problem?

What increases the risk of male infertility?

I already have one child, but I am now having difficulty becoming pregnant again. Could a problem have arisen with me or with my partner?

What is the success rate of in vitro fertilization?

How many times can a woman undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

Is egg retrieval painful?

Can IVF medications cause cancer?

Can I freeze my eggs or my sperm?