Non invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a new method in which cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA), circulating in a mother’s blood is analysed to detect aneuploidies (in particular trisomy 21). The breakdown of fetal and placental cells results in cffDNA which is then cleared from the mother within a few hours, therefore it can be analysed to detect chromosome defects for the current foetus. Currently in the UK, NIPT is offered by the NHS to high risk pregnant women for a number of conditions, approved by the UK Genetic Testing Network. Women at high risk can include; family history of aneuploidy, advanced maternal age and abnormal ultrasound. With the technology becoming more advanced and readily available it raises questions as to whether it should be offered to any woman who asks for it under the NHS.
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With NIPT consisting of a simple blood test, it eradicates the risk of harm to both the foetus and the mother. This makes it much safer whilst still being just as accurate (99%) and also able to be done as early as the first 7-9 weeks of gestation. In terms of the NHS, less expertise will be required to perform a simple blood test compared to invasive testing and so less staff will be required.
With NIPT not imposing the risk to the foetus or discomfort to the mother that invasive prenatal testing does, many women may see it as an ‘easy option’. Therefore if offered by the NHS, some women who would not previously have decided to have an invasive test, would agree to having NIPT without appropriate consideration. Informed consent would be imperative, however as testing becomes normalised, there is the danger of people viewing it as ‘just a simple blood test’ and may not be prepared for the
With NIPT consisting of a simple blood test, it eradicates the risk of harm to both the foetus and the mother. This makes it much safer whilst still being just as accurate (99%) and also able to be done as early as the first 7-9 weeks of gestation. In terms of the NHS, less expertise will be required to perform a simple blood test compared to invasive testing and so less staff will be required.
With NIPT not imposing the risk to the foetus or discomfort to the mother that invasive prenatal testing does, many women may see it as an ‘easy option’. Therefore if offered by the NHS, some women who would not previously have decided to have an invasive test, would agree to having NIPT without appropriate consideration. Informed consent would be imperative, however as testing becomes normalised, there is the danger of people viewing it as ‘just a simple blood test’ and may not be prepared for the