Triple test

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is an innovative form of genetic screening 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). The cell-free fetal DNA testing method offers greater accuracy than triple tests since the latter analyse maternal hormone levels rather than DNA markers in the blood. Healthcare providers can now prescribe non-invasive genetic tests that screen fetal and maternal DNA and rapidly detect anomalies. In many cases, and more so than triple tests, these allow patients to avoid invasive sampling, leading to improved maternal and child health outcomes.

The NIPT kit developed by Eurofins Biomnis presents zero risk to the fetus and allows healthcare providers to offer patients early screening. Moreover, the maternal blood screening procedure offers greater sensitivity and lower false-positive rates when compared to triple marker tests, and can be administered from only ten weeks of pregnancy. The non-invasive cell-free fetal DNA testingkit is remarkably sensitive and specific, and is classified as a screening option for women at heightened risk of trisomy 13, 18 and 21. If one or more pathologies is suspected, an invasive procedure such as amniocentesis is administered to confirm diagnosis. Overall, this early screening method may be preferable over triple marker tests.

Many healthcare professionals prescribe at-risk patients triple screen tests to detect potential fetal anomalies from the second trimester. However, prescribing an NIPT for the prenatal screening of birth defectsoffers a more reliable initial risk assessment for disorders including Down Syndrome and Patau Syndrome. With detection rates exceeding 99%, NIPT screening is generally recommended for expectant mothers with risks greater than 1 in 1,000 according to serum markers. Available from the first trimester of pregnancy, the innovative NIPT screening method offers greater accuracy when compared to triple screen tests. Eurofins Biomnis follows the international recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM).