Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a screening test that can determine if a pregnancy is at high risk for the common aneuploidies by analyzing cell-free fetal DNA in the maternal bloodstream. The screening includes trisomy 21, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13, with the option of screening for sex chromosome aneuploidy and fetal sex. Traditionally this testing is offered to women that are at high risk for these aneuploidies, most commonly women of advanced maternal age. Individuals that receive a high risk result on NIPT should be offered diagnostic testing to confirm the result. New forms of NIPT have recently emerged, however the use of this technology as a screening test for other genetic conditions is not currently recommended by national professional society guidelines. Patients should be counseled and consented for NIPT, as this is an optional screening test. This review contains 2 tables, and 39 references. Keywords: NIPT, non-invasive prenatal testing, aneuploidy, Down syndrome, trisomy 18, trisomy 13, Turner syndrome, microdeletions, diagnostic testing