Does non-invasive DNA testing need to be combined with age?
Disease description:
I would like to ask, when performing non-invasive DNA testing, is it necessary to take age into consideration as well?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu
Non-invasive prenatal DNA testing, commonly known as NIPT, is a method used to screen for fetal chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. This test primarily relies on cell-free fetal DNA fragments found in the mother's bloodstream. Generally, non-invasive DNA testing does not need to be combined with a specific maternal age, as it offers high sensitivity and specificity and is suitable for all pregnant women.
However, age remains a factor in assessing the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities. As maternal age increases, particularly beyond 35 years old, the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities also rises. Therefore, although non-invasive DNA testing is appropriate for women of any age, doctors may especially recommend this screening for older pregnant women to more accurately assess their risk.
Non-invasive DNA testing is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. If the screening results indicate a high risk, doctors may recommend further diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, to obtain a definitive diagnosis.
