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Cell free DNA nipt is a blood screening that analyzes the baby's DNA that might be circulating in your bloodstream, this DNA is known as the cell free DNA.The cell free DNA nipt is normally done to check on the baby's risk of certain genetic disorders such as the Down syndrome.
Cell free DNA nipt verse other tests
As already mentioned, cell free DNA nipt checks on the DNA from the placenta of your baby by simply testing your blood sample to identify if there is a risk or possibility of your baby getting a genetic disorder. However, their cell free DNA nipt only looks at the likelihood of getting the condition, but it does not determine if your baby has the chromosomal disorder or the genetic abnormality. Carrying out a cell-free DNA nit only helps you to decide if you can carry out diagnostic tests that will tell whether your baby has the chromosomal disorder. These tests, however, have higher chances of exposing someone into a miscarriage.
How cell free DNA nipt is carried out
Cell free DNA nipt is a simple screening which just involves drawing a drop of blood from your arm with a needle and syringe at the doctor's lab. The screening is always safe for you and your baby and is done with a cell free dna isolation kit. After the doctor has taken the blood sample from you, he or she sends it to the lab, where the lab technician checks if there are any signs of disorders or abnormalities in the cell free DNA. After the results of the cell free DNA nipt are back, the doctor may determine if there is a need for further testing by pairing the result with the first -trimester ultrasound. If after pairing, the result turns out positive, now the doctor will refer you to carry out tests such as amniocentesis that help confirm the result of the cell free DNA nipt as well as other disorders that have not been detected by nipt.
Cell free DNA nipt is responsible for screening such chromosomal disorders such as the Down syndrome, Edwards Syndrome, and Patau syndrome. If you want to know the Rh blood type and the gender of your baby, cell free DNA nipt can also do that. According to some researchers, there has been identification that the cell free DNA nipt can detect various disorders for the mothers. This came after one result of the screen indicated that the baby had a possibility of getting a genetic problem and later the result turned out that it's the mother who was at a risk of getting cancer. Therefore it important for the doctors to take caution when carrying out these tests as some results could be detecting early onset of cancer to the mothers. If you get such results, it is advisable to seek immediate diagnostic tests and care before it gets worse.
Cell free DNA nipt is carried out any time after the 9th week of pregnancy which is the earliest than any other diagnostic test or prenatal screening. However, researchers have suggested that nipt offers false results comparing to the first-trimester blood screenings such as the quad screening which normally measure some special proteins and hormones in the blood of the mother. Other researchers say it vice versa. So be careful when undergoing the tests to make sure you are getting the correct results.