What is NIPS?
How Does NIPS Work?
Who Should Consider NIPS?
What Can NIPS Detect?
Accuracy of NIPS Results
When will I receive the reports?
What needs to be done if the report comes abnormal?
What needs to be done if the report comes out to be normal?
Conclusion
Pregnancy is the most valuable gift to all mothers. Welcoming a new life in this world is full of happiness, anticipation, and excitement but sometimes, a little worry. As expectant parents, we all want our baby to be healthy, and our top priority is its well-being. With the advancement in prenatal care, medical science offers various tools to gain insight into your baby’s development early on. One such tool is the Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening, commonly known as NIPS.
What is NIPS?
Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) is a screening tool that helps in detecting if the fetus has any kind of risk of developing chromosomal disorders like Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18), and Patau syndrome (trisomy 13). This test analyses small fragments of fetal DNA that are circulating in a pregnant woman’s blood. It is to be noted that this test only tells the likelihood of a chromosomal disorder without giving exact information about what kind of disorder is there. It’s a safe test, unlike traditional methods like chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis which have a higher risk of miscarriage.
How Does NIPS Work?
NIPS test is done as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy, before that there is not enough fetal DNA in the mother’s bloodstream. NIPS works by taking a blood sample from the mother, which is then analyzed in a lab to look for certain genetic markers. The results of the test can give you information about the likelihood that your baby has one of the genetic conditions screened for by the test.
Who Should Consider NIPS?
Earlier it was suggested to those women who have a higher risk of developing this disorder but nowadays, NIPS is recommended for all pregnant women. However, it is particularly valuable for those at higher risk of having a baby with a genetic disorder. This includes:
- Women aged 35 or older
- Women with a family history of genetic conditions
- Women who have had abnormal results from other prenatal tests
While NIPS can provide early and accurate information, it’s important to remember that it is a screening test, not a diagnostic one. This means that while it can indicate whether there is an increased risk of a condition, it cannot definitively diagnose the condition. Further testing, such as amniocentesis or CVS, may be recommended if the NIPS results are positive.
What Can NIPS Detect?
NIPS primarily screens for:
- Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21): A genetic condition that causes developmental and intellectual delays.
- Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18): A condition associated with severe developmental delays and physical abnormalities.
- Patau Syndrome (Trisomy 13): A condition characterized by severe intellectual disability and physical abnormalities.
- Some NIPS tests can also screen for other conditions, including sex chromosome abnormalities and certain microdeletions. This test can also determine the sex of the fetus.
Accuracy of NIPS Results
The accuracy is not confined to one factor but constitutes various factors like multifetal pregnancy, obesity, having a fibroid, etc. This screening tool is the most sensitive test that helps in detecting 99% accurate Down Syndrome but slightly less accurate in suspecting trisomy 18 and 13.
When will I receive the reports?
Reports typically require a couple of weeks to be completed. After which you can consult your healthcare provider.
What needs to be done if the report comes abnormal?
Abnormal reports indicate that the baby is at high risk for having a specific trisomy. But it's important to note that screening tests are not confirmatory tests rather the results need to be confirmed by further testing for which your fetal medicine expert will guide you.
What needs to be done if the report comes out to be normal?
A normal report gives reassurance that the baby is at low risk of having common genetic abnormalities. Again, it is important to note that NIPS cannot rule out all genetic abnormalities. Routine checkups and investigations need to be carried out as advised by the Obstetrician and the Fetal Medicine Specialist.
