NIPT Information | The Harley Street Centre For Women

Advantages of NIPT

The major advantage of NIPT is that it is the best screening test for chromosomal and genetic conditions.
No risk of miscarriage.
You will be seen and counselled by a specialist Consultant in Fetal Medicine.
The test can be performed as early as 10 weeks (9 weeks with the Panorama test).
A very high detection rate and a very low false positive rate:
The majority of cases screened for are detected.
Very few mothers receive a high chance result, unlike the standard NHS tests (Combined or Quadruple screening).
The test works extremely well in all twin pregnancies.
The results are very clear:
You either receive a low chance result or a high chance result.
In the unlikely scenario that you get a high chance result:
Your consultant will call you personally to discuss the implications and the most suitable next steps for you.
We are now offering a range of tests, including the most extensive NIPT (PrenatalSafe 9), which tests for a wide range of chromosomal and genetic abnormalities.

Disadvantages of NIPT

Most tests take about 3-5 working days to provide a result.
The Panorama test is sent to the USA, and it takes 10 working days to receive the result.
In up to 2% of cases, we cannot provide a result with the first sample:
You will be asked to return for a second blood sample at no additional cost.
This usually occurs because there is insufficient fetal DNA in the first sample for accurate evaluation.
Rarely (less than 1%), the test will not provide a result:
If this happens, we will explain the implications and refund the cost of the test.
The test does not work in high-order multiple pregnancies (triplets or more).

When can I get the test done?

The vast majority of NIPT tests available are performed from 10+0 weeks. The Panorama test offers testing from 9+0 weeks. It is ideal that you have a scan on the day or at least have had a scan within the last 14 days to confirm the gestational age, to count the number of babies (i.e singleton or multiple pregnancy) and to confirm that the pregnancy is developing normally (we will start to look for major anomalies from 10 weeks).

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Perform an Ultrasound Examination:

The scan is usually performed abdominally (from your abdomen/tummy).
If views are limited, a transvaginal scan may be necessary, but only with your consent.

Confirm the Pregnancy:

The scan ensures that the pregnancy is developing normally.
If a fetal anomaly is detected, findings will be explained, and recommendations will be provided.
In some cases, NIPT may not be the best option (since it is a screening test, not diagnostic), and alternative tests will be discussed.

Accurately Date the Pregnancy:

The scan determines the pregnancy's gestational age to ensure the blood sample is not taken too early (NIPT won't work if performed too early).

Count the Number of Babies:

The scan checks for multiple pregnancies (about 1 in 80 mothers may discover they are carrying more than one baby).

Skip the Scan if Recently Performed:

If you have had a scan within the last 14 days, a new scan is not necessary unless you wish to have one.

What does NIPT screen for:

NIPT can screen for a very wide range of chromosomal and genetic conditions. The major advantage of NIPT is the very high detection rate with a very low false positive rate <0.1%, without any risk of miscarriage. This means that the test will detect the majority of cases of these three common fetal aneuploidies and very few women will be given a high chance result unlike the traditional Combined or Quadruple test offered in the NHS which has a lower detection and a false positive rate of about 3%.

NIPT is most often used to screen for:

Down’s syndrome (Trisomy 21)
Edward’s’ syndrome (Trisomy 18)
Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13)
Fetal sex – if requested by the parents

Performance of NIPT compared to the Combined Test

	Detection Rate (%)	False Positive Rate (%)	Combined screening DR (%) for 3% False positive rate
Trisomy 21	99.7	0.04	86
Trisomy 13	99.0	0.04	84
Trisomy 18	97.9	0.04	72

Scan by Consultant

One of our many strengths is that we are all consultants in Fetal Medicine and have both specialist and detailed knowledge about the tests available. We currently offer the PrenataSafe test, the Illumina test, and the Panorama Test and we are very happy to discuss which test will suit your individual needs.

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The Harley Street Centre for Women NIPT

PRICE	PRENATALSAFE® 3 Starting price at £395 inc. scan £545	PANORAMA Starting price at £395 inc. scan £545	PANORAMA Ext. Starting price at £495 inc. scan £645	KNOVA Starting price at £945 inc. scan	PrenatalSafe Complete Plus Starting price at £1600 inc. scan
Available from	10 weeks	9 weeks	9 weeks	10 weeks	10 weeks
T21, T13 & T18
Sex Chromosomes aneuploidy
Triploidy
Microdeletion			5	12	9
Turners Syndrome
Di George Syndrome (22q del)
Denovo Genetic Syndrome				56	45
Twin Pregnancy					monochorionic
Egg Donor/Surrogacy		Not Twins	Not Twins
Vanishing Twin Syndrome					5 weeks after detection
Gender	optional	optional	optional		optional
Dichorionic/ Monochorionic					monochorionic
Results	5 working days	8-10 working days	8-10 working days	2 weeks	3 working weeks
Partners Blood
	SELECT	SELECT	SELECT	SELECT	SELECT

How much does it cost?

Please note that we are led by a team of highly skilled specialist doctors that offer diagnosis and treatment of complications which may arise in unborn babies. All your scans will be performed by our experienced fetal medicine consultants. We do not offer scans performed by sonographers or fellows.

The service we provide by consultants offer screening, diagnosis and management of your pregnancy to the highest standards.

PrenatalSafe® 3 + Consultation (Consultant Led)

£395

Includes pre-test genetic counselling and PrenatalSafe® 3 test

This option applies only if you have had a scan recently. We will ask you to bring a recent scan report (performed within 2 weeks) with the measurements of the baby.

PrenatalSafe® 3 + Scan (Consultant Led)

£545

Includes an ultrasound scan appropriate for gestational age by our consultant specialist followed by the PrenatalSafe® 3 blood test.

NIPT

What is NIPT?

Advantages of NIPT

Disadvantages of NIPT