Trisomy: non-invasive prenatal testing

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from a maternal blood sample offers a safer and more accurate screening method for Down's, Edwards' and Patau's syndromes.1

It is predicted that in the UK, the test could reduce the number of women undergoing invasive testing from 7,900 to 1,400 and the number of associated miscarriages from 46 to approximately 3 per year.1

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After studying this module you should:

• Understand the purpose of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and the benefits it brings in screening for trisomy.
• Appreciate the importance of measuring fetal fraction in NIPT and the factors that can influence it.
• Understand positive predictive value and its importance when interpreting test results.

NEXT STEPS

• Read the clinical review
• Complete the online assessment
• Receive CPD certificate

AUTHORS

Written by Tara Ralph BSc (Hons)
Reviewed by Jayne Marshall Foundation Professor of Midwifery at University of Leicester, PFHEA, PhD, MA, PGCEA, ADM, RM, RGN