NIPT (noninvasive prenatal testing) uses a pregnant woman’s blood to estimate the risk of the fetus having a chromosomal condition like Down syndrome. It estimates risk and doesn’t diagnose conditions. This test can be done beginning at 10 weeks of pregnancy up until delivery.
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NIPT stands for “noninvasive prenatal testing.” It’s a screening test that shows if the fetus is at higher risk for chromosomal disorders. During the test, your provider takes a sample of your blood. Your blood contains small pieces of the fetus’s DNA. A lab tests these DNA fragments to look for specific congenital disorders. An NIPT can’t screen for all chromosomal or genetic conditions.
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Healthcare providers offer NIPT to all pregnant women. But having the screening is entirely up to you. A screening test estimates the likelihood of your child having a particular condition. It doesn’t diagnose a condition. Your provider can help you decide if noninvasive prenatal testing is right for you.
The test is also called cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening or noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS).
NIPT doesn’t test for all chromosomal conditions or birth disorders. Most NIPTs screen for:
Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13 happen when there’s an extra chromosome. Screening of the sex chromosomes can also predict the sex of the fetus. It also checks for differences in the usual number of X or Y chromosomes. The most common sex chromosome conditions are Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, Triple X syndrome and XYY syndrome.
Noninvasive prenatal testing helps estimate your child’s chance of having certain conditions. Healthcare providers may recommend it if you:
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Depending on your NIPT results, your obstetrician may recommend a diagnostic test. Unlike NIPT, a diagnostic test can confirm if your child has a specific condition.
NIPT can be done as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy up until delivery.
NIPT screening is a blood test. Your provider takes a sample of your blood from a vein in your arm. It takes just a few minutes.
NIPT looks for changes in the fetus’s DNA. You have a small amount of fetal DNA circulating in your bloodstream during pregnancy. NIPT looks at these DNA fragments for potential problems.
It takes about 10 weeks for enough fetal DNA to circulate in your blood. That’s why the screening isn’t offered until 10 weeks of pregnancy.
No, it’s not necessary. It’s a personal choice, and it’s normal to have questions. Your healthcare provider will discuss all of your prenatal screening options, including NIPT. Many factors may go into your decision to have NIPT and prenatal genetic testing in general. If you’re having a difficult time or want to discuss the screenings in more detail, a genetic counselor can help you understand your options and what may be a good fit for you.
NIPT is safe and only requires a blood sample. There is no risk to the pregnancy.
The accuracy of the test varies by the condition that it’s checking for. Other factors — like being pregnant with multiples — can affect NIPT results.
NIPT detects about 99% of Down syndrome cases. It detects about 97% to 98% of cases of trisomy 18. Overall, NIPT tests produce fewer false positives than other prenatal screenings, like the quad screen.
Yes. Because NIPT screens for sex chromosome conditions, it can also tell whether XX or XY chromosomes are present. The result is highly accurate, but not 100% accurate.
NIPT results can sometimes take up to two weeks, although results are often available sooner. Your healthcare provider will receive your test results first, and then share them with you.
NIPT is a screening only. It doesn’t give a “yes” or “no” answer about whether your child has a condition. Instead, it shows whether there’s an increased risk for the condition being screened. Your test results may sometimes be hard to interpret, so ask your healthcare provider for help if you’re unsure.
Most labs give separate results for each condition they’re screening for. For example, you may get a positive or high-risk result for trisomy 13, but a negative or low-risk result for Down syndrome.
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Sometimes, there isn’t enough fetal DNA in the blood sample, or it may be difficult to detect. You can have the NIPT screening again if this happens to you.
If NIPT shows a higher chance of a condition, your healthcare provider may recommend diagnostic testing. These tests can confirm whether a condition is present and give that “yes” or “no” answer. Diagnostic tests include:
Getting a noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPT) or another prenatal genetic screening test is a personal choice. Your healthcare provider can explain the benefits, limitations and possible results. But the decision is yours.
Here are questions you may want to ask yourself:
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Your healthcare provider can help you understand what NIPT can and can’t tell you before you decide whether to have the test. Some questions to ask them include:
Pregnancy often brings many questions and decisions. Choosing whether to have NIPT (noninvasive prenatal testing) is one of them. Because the test is a screening — not a diagnosis — it’s important to understand what it can and can’t tell you. Your healthcare provider or a genetic counselor can explain your options and help you decide what's best for you.
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Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
Prenatal tests can give your providers information about your pregnancy and fetal development. Cleveland Clinic’s experts can guide you through prenatal testing.
