Prenatal screening test

NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) is an innovative genetic screening test allowing for early detection of the most common fetal aneuploidies in at-risk pregnant women, including Patau Syndrome (trisomy 13), Edwards' Syndrome (trisomy 18), and Down Syndrome (trisomy 21). Prenatal screening tests such as amniocentesis and triple screens are among the most prescribed procedures for expectant mothers, but the associated risks are frequently a source of patient trepidation. By contrast, NIPT testing allows for trisomy syndrome screening with negligible risks, offering reassurance to patients who wish to avoid invasive procedures such as amniocentesis. Healthcare providers may consider prescribing this new generation of prenatal screening tests, which detect risks for fetal trisomies.

The non-invasive prenatal screening tests developed by Eurofins Biomnis use cell-free DNA thanks to a sampling of maternal blood, and present zero risk to the fetus. Moreover, the NIPT has much greater sensitivity and specificity as well as lower false-positive rates when compared to serum marker screening. These non-invasive prenatal screening tests are unusually sensitive and specific, and are classified as an approved option for pregnant women at heightened risk of trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome), as well as trisomies 13 and 18. In the case of a positive result for one or more of these pathologies, an invasive procedure such as amniocentesis is administered to confirm the diagnosis.

In many cases, prescribing non-invasive types of prenatal testing allows patients to forgo invasive screening procedures and reducing overall risk of complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage. With detection rates exceeding 99%, the innovative procedure can be carried out through a maternal blood sample by a primary healthcare provider or a Eurofins Biomnis partner laboratory. Available from 10 weeks of pregnancy, results are available within 7 working days. Overall, the non-invasive types of prenatal testing offered by Eurofins Biomnis have been found to minimize unnecessary invasive sampling by up to 95%. Eurofins Biomnis follows the international recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM). Â?