Why should pregnant women undergo non-invasive prenatal testing?
Mar 08, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
Pregnant women usually undergo non-invasive prenatal testing to screen for fetal congenital chromosomal abnormalities. Pregnant women should have regular antenatal checkups at the hospital. Generally, Down syndrome screening is performed between 12 and 16 weeks of gestation to assess whether the fetus has chromosomal abnormalities. If the screening results indicate a high risk, further non-invasive DNA testing is required.
Pregnant women usually undergo non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) to screen for fetal congenital chromosomal abnormalities.
Expectant mothers should have regular prenatal checkups at the hospital. Generally, Down syndrome screening is performed between 12 and 16 weeks of gestation to assess whether the fetus has chromosomal abnormalities. If the screening results indicate a high risk, further non-invasive DNA testing is required.
Non-invasive DNA testing is typically conducted between 12 and 22 weeks of pregnancy, using a blood test to screen for abnormalities. This method generally has a detection rate above 90%. If the non-invasive test still indicates high risk, additional diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis are needed to confirm the diagnosis. Amniocentesis can also evaluate fetal development. If these tests ultimately confirm that the fetus has a congenital chromosomal abnormality, termination of pregnancy may be recommended.
Non-invasive DNA testing is not a mandatory examination during pregnancy. In general, if the Down syndrome screening shows low risk or if amniocentesis is performed directly, there is no need for additional non-invasive testing. The specific course of action should be determined based on individual circumstances under the guidance of a qualified physician.
