NIPT (nest)
Repromed’s Non Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is a comprehensive prenatal screening test that provides important genetic information about your developing pregnancy. Screened via a blood sample, this test can determine the chance of common chromosomal conditions in a developing baby.
Our Non Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) is called nest™ and can be done as early as 10 weeks with a simple blood sample.
What does Nest screen for?
Chromosomes typically come in pairs. Most individuals have 23 pairs of chromosomes. Nest looks for too few or too many copies of chromosomes.
Nest uses a whole genome approach which provides information about all 23 pairs of chromosomes in addition to large chromosomal deletions or duplications. The most common chromosomal conditions include trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edward syndrome) and trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome), all of which can be accurately screened for.
Nest also screens for sex chromosome conditions, including Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, Triple X syndrome and Jacob syndrome, as well as reporting the sex of your baby.
Who should consider NIPT?
NIPT screening is suitable for all women at 10 weeks or greater gestation with singleton and twin pregnancies.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) recommends that all pregnant women are offered timely prenatal screening for fetal chromosome conditions in the first trimester of their pregnancy. It is recommended that women are offered the option of NIPT or first trimester combined screening as a first-line test (RANZCOG, 2022).
How does NIPT work?
A sample of your blood is drawn and the genetic material (DNA) from you and your baby are screened for common chromosome conditions.
What do the results mean?
Although more accurate than traditional screening methods, nest is not a diagnostic test. This means it can not give you a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.
Your results will tell you and your referring doctor whether your pregnancy is at an increased chance of common chromosome conditions. In the case of a high probability result, a Repromed Genetic Counsellor will discuss what the results mean for your pregnancy as well as further testing options to consider.
Your test will include one of two possible results:
- Low probability – means the expected number of chromosomes were found.
- High probability – means too many or too few copies of one of the chromosomes have been identified. This indicates an increased chance of a chromosome condition, but does not mean your pregnancy is affected with that condition. Consideration of diagnostic testing is recommended for confirmation.
Repromed’s Genetic Counselling Team
At Repromed, our experienced genetic counselling team are available to support both referrers and patients throughout the process. In the event of a high-probability result, our team will first contact the referring doctor. Our team are also available to assist with discussing the results with the patient and providing ongoing support.
Fast and Reliable Results
Nest offers quick turnaround times, with most results available 5-7 business days after the sample has been received.
How to Get Started
To begin, speak with your GP or Obstetrician about getting a referral for a Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) at Repromed. Once you have your referral, we can schedule an appointment for a pre-NIPT ultrasound scan and blood collection.