NIPT

this is my: baby has been offering NIPT screening since it was first available within the UK in 2013.

The NHS admits that “NIPT is more accurate than the 1st trimester combined or quadruple test for estimating the risk of Down’s Syndrome” (rapid.nhs.uk).

NIPT testing is now available for pregnant patients on the NHS but ONLY for those who have been given a high risk result from a screening test.

This means that if your individual risk is greater than 1 in 150 after initial screening with the combined or quadruple screens you will be offered the option for further testing using NIPT instead of opting for an invasive testing.

The NHS NIPT screen will assess the risk of Trisomy 21 (Down’s syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards’ syndrome) & Trisomy 13 (Patau’s syndrome) only.

NIPT screening can be performed from as early as 9 weeks which is much earlier than the initial combined screening with the NHS at 11 to 13 weeks.

NIPT screening with this is my: baby is a single step process taking only 5-10 days from scan to a result (differing laboratory turnaround times).

All our NIPT screens are safe, simple and highly accurate and offer expectant mums a calculated chance of their unborn baby being affected with common conditions such as Trisomy 21 (Down’s syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards’ syndrome) & Trisomy 13 (Patau’s syndrome) but also optional screening for other conditions including all 24 chromosomes and many deletion and duplications problems.

NIPT with this is my: baby also has the option of finding out the gender or sex of your baby on all NIPT screens as standard, an option not an available with the NHS test.

Why settle for anything less than the best for your unborn child?

this is my: baby has over 15 years’ genetic screening experience in both chromosomal and inherited disorders.

We are backed by a team of experts including a Professor of Epidemiology, Fetal Medicine Consultants and a number of clinical specialists, all backed by a fully trained administration and screening co-ordination team.

Call today to speak to one of our trained advisers to discuss your NIPT options on 0113 262 1675.

this is my: baby gives you:

The quickest results

The most accurate test

At the best affordable price

Safe

All parents want the most reassurance for their pregnancy and all want to protect their unborn baby as best they can.

NIPT uses the genetic material of the pregnancy, so is highly accurate to over 99%. Traditional NHS screens use placental biochemical markers and have a quoted accuracy of 60 to 90%.

It is also worth remembering that if you are considering or have had screening for Chromosomal conditions, including Down’s Syndrome, the NHS screen will give a high risk result to around 1 in 30 women. If you do receive a high risk result, you may well be advised to consider undergoing amniocentesis or chorionic villus biopsy (CVS) to assess your baby’s chromosome pattern. The possibility of miscarriage from this test is approximately 1%.

It is important to remember that even if you are in this “high risk” group most pregnancies will NOT be affected with a chromosomal problem.

The relatively NEW NIPT screen a highly accurate alternative to amniocentesis / CVS which is completely safe, simple and risk free, and available to all pregnant women

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) has the highest detection rate of all screening tests.

One meta-analysis has shown that the detection rate and false-positive rate for NIPT for screening for Down’s syndrome are 99% and 0.1% respectively (Gil et al., 2015) It MUST be made clear that Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is not classed as a diagnostic test like amniocentesis or CVS but it will give you reassurance to the highest degree possible that you are making the right choices should you need further testing.

Simple

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is the most accurate screening test for Down’s Syndrome and other trisomy conditions. It is available to ALL women from 10 weeks gestation including twins (Identical and none identical), IVF, self and non-self pregnancies.

It differs from traditional screening as from

A simple sample of venous maternal blood taken from the mother’s arm

In conjunction with an ultrasound scan to confirm pregnancy

NIPT next generation sequencing technology analyses actual free floating fetal DNA (cfDNA)

Coupled with advanced bioinformatics analysis

Instead of looking at traditional hormonal placental blood markers which every pregnant woman metabolises differently.

NIPT will calculate the risk of your baby having a common chromosome condition called a trisomy. The most common trisomies are :

Trisomy 21 (Down’s Syndrome)

Trisomy 18 (Edwards’ Syndrome)

Trisomy 13 (Patau’s Syndrome)

The detection rate is more than 99% accurate in comparison to the combined screening test which has a detection rate of only 70 – 90%, and the quad test which is as low as 60%.

With new advancements in screening, testing for all 24 chromosomes, sex linked aneuploidy, gender and some micro-deletion abnormalities is also possible. This is optional and may incur an additional charge. Screening for these conditions is not common practice and requires appropriate counselling.

Reliable

Whatever your result, this is my: healthcare is there to support you.

Most women will come back with a ‘low risk’ result and therefore it is very unlikely that the baby has one of these conditions. However, there is a very small risk that not all trisomy fetuses will be detected.

A ‘high risk’ result is indicative of a very high chance of your pregnancy being affected with a trisomy condition. Overall the test identifies more than 99% of T21, T18 and T13 pregnancies

A positive or high risk result does not definitely mean your baby is affected, although it is very likely. If you receive a positive result, an amniocentesis or CVS is generally advised to confirm the result as NIPT is still a screening test and not a diagnosis.

Only 0.1%.of women using NIPT are likely to receive a high-risk result when the fetus is not affected (a "false positive").

We interpret all results in the context of clinical and familial data and we recommend you continue with your usual scan appointments following testing.

Should the NIPT result be returned as low-risk but the ultrasound scan idenitifes a potential high-risk issue, then a rare chromosomal defect or other structural problems cannot be ruled out and you may then still wish to consider an amniocentesis or CVS.

Test performance data for Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predictive Values & Negative Predictive Values for each test / laboratory please click on the individual test icon on our home page.

Homepage

Ultrasound Scan

An ultrasound scan will confirm the presence, gestational age, viability and number of babies present in your pregnancy.

If we identify a multiple pregnancy we will determine the choronicity (identical or non-identical babies).

We will also check as much anatomy as possible for each baby (depending on gestational age) to give you reassurance all is progressing as expected.

Results

Your NIPT result is greater than 99% accurate. It will tell you if your pregnancy is at an increased risk of a chromosomal abnormality. Test results will be ready in 1 to 7 working days, depending on the test chosen and its associated turn around time.

This is calculated from the time your blood sample is received at our laboratory, and weekends and Bank Holidays can delay the result reporting.

this is my: healthcare continues to provide NIPT service as usual. Shipping through our normal channels is still guaranteed although some delays (1 to 3 days approximately) may somethimes be expected. Please be aware of the possible delays.

Blood Sample

A simple 10 ml blood sample is taken from the mother’s arm and sent to our laboratory.

Cutting-edge technology allows the baby’s genetic material to be analysed for the most common chromosomal abnormalities.

NIPT commonly screens for:

Trisomy 21 (Down's Syndrome)

Trisomy 18 (Edwards' Syndrome)

Trisomy 13 (Patau's Syndrome)

Optional screen add-ons can include:

Sex aneuploidies

Fetal sex / gender

Microdeletions

All 24 chromosomes

Notes

NIPT testing alone does not provide information on physical defects, mosaicism, partial trisomy, translocations or triploidy and thus it is essential that a detailed ultrasound scan is undertaken for full evaluation purposes.

NIPT testing with any company is dependent on the amount of cfDNA circulating within the sample, and sometimes there is not enough. In these cases the result can be delayed as further analysis is needed and in some cases another blood sample or redraw would be required.

Blood samples are usually dispatched the next working day after the sample draw.

If you have recently undergone a blood transfusion, transplant surgery, immunotherapy or stem cell therapy please speak with an adviser at this is my: healthcare prior to the blood sample being taken.

Turn around Time (TAT) is calcuated from when the sample reaches the laboratory in working days (NOT calendar days). It is estimated that 95% of samples will have a result within this time scale. When further sequencing is needed in order to obtain a result, TAT can be slightly longer.

this is my: baby

Established

2003

Clients

72,000+

Pregnancy Scans

74,000+

NIPT Screens

6,000+

At this is my: baby, we use a number of laboratories to process your NIPT sample.

Each laboratory offers screening for the common trisomies 21, 18 and 13 and the accuracy is > 99% with all of them.

Many offer the option to screen for gender and the sex linked aneuploidy conditions as standard.

Some companies also offer expanded panel screening and screening for specific conditions, subject to an additional charge.

In general most people want to screen for the common trisomies.

If however, you have a concern about a specific rarer condition, please speak to one of our advisers who will be able to assist you in your choice.

Ideally you want to use a NIPT laboratory which gives the fastest turnaround from blood sample to result, with the lowest re-draw rate and the most affordable price.

NIPT testing is constantly advancing so test option vary from time to time so please check with us at the time of booking and we will be able to advise you of your options.

There are only a few recognised companies / laboratories in the world currently offering NIPT screening:

NIFTY™ byBGI Health processed by BGI in Hong Kong

Harmony™ by Ariosa, processed at TDL in the UK

Panorama™ by Natera in the USA

IONA® by Premaitha in the UK

PrenatalSafe® by Eurofins in Italy

I'd walked past the Leeds building several times so was familiar with the name, and it was the first to come to mind when we decided we wanted a private scan and testing following a failed 12-week scan/testing with the NHS. The receptionist was extremely helpful, professional and took the time to explain the various test options and pros/cons. We would wholeheartedly recommend - excellent service which helped us to address our concerns.

RP from Leeds

The lady who scanned us 100% knew her field. She explained everything and left nothing for misinterpretation. I had complete confidence in her. Thank you. At a very stressful time we were made to feel at ease whilst our concerns being addressed.

LN from Durham

Staff were extremely helpful and understanding. We were booked in the following day. All staff that we had dealings with throughout the whole time were polite and helpful. Sonographer explained things to us that the NHS didn't. Really put our mind at ease. Would definitely recommend this is my. The NIPT test and scan were absolutely worth the money for the peace of mind it gives.

EB from Manchester

Chaperones, Intimate Ultrasound Scans & Accessible Information Standard:

We want to get better at communicating with our patients.

We want to make sure you can read and understand the information we send you.

If you find it hard to read our letters or if you need someone to support you at appointments, please let us know.

Do let us know if you need information in braille, large print or easy read.

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Should you have any special needs or require a chaperone to be present at the time of your scan please tell us prior to your appointment.

Use the contact form or telephone us on 0113 262 1675.

Thank you.

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