Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS)
Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS), also known as Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), is an advanced prenatal screening test performed using a blood sample from the mother. It analyzes cell-free DNA circulating in the maternal bloodstream, most of which comes from the placenta, to estimate the chance of certain chromosomal conditions. NIPS can generally be performed from around 10 weeks of pregnancy and is a screening test, not a diagnostic test.
Advanced DNA Analysis
Early Screening
Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS)
Down Syndrome
Edwards Syndrome
Patau Syndrome
Cell-Free DNA
Chromosomal Risk Assessment
Singleton Pregnancy Screening
Twin Pregnancy Screening
Overall Risk Assessment
When Is It Recommended?
NIPS can generally be performed from 10 weeks of pregnancy and may be considered as part of prenatal screening after appropriate counselling.
- It may be chosen as an early screening option for common chromosomal conditions.
- It may be considered following a higher-chance result from another prenatal screening test.
- It may be offered when parents want more accurate screening for selected chromosomal conditions than traditional screening methods.
- It may be considered in pregnancies with certain risk factors after discussion with a healthcare professional.
- NIPS may be available for singleton and some twin pregnancies, depending on the test and clinical circumstances.
- Your doctor or fetal medicine specialist will discuss the appropriate screening options for your pregnancy.
Important Information
NIPS is a highly accurate screening test for certain chromosomal conditions, but it is not a diagnostic test. A high-risk result does not confirm that the baby has a chromosomal condition, and a low-risk result cannot guarantee that the baby has no geneti
- NIPS primarily screens for selected chromosomal conditions and does not assess every possible genetic or developmental condition.
- A high-risk result should generally be followed by genetic counselling and consideration of diagnostic testing such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis.
- A high-risk result should generally be followed by genetic counselling and consideration of diagnostic testing such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis.
- NIPS does not replace routine pregnancy ultrasound examinations or the detailed mid-trimester anomaly scan.
- Some pregnancies may produce a test result that cannot be reported because of insufficient fetal DNA or other technical factors.
- The conditions included in the test vary between laboratories and test packages.