Pre-screening is the best way to monitor and detect abnormalities of the fetus during development. One of the modern methods, widely applied today is the NIPT screening test. So do you know when pregnant women should go for NIPT screening test?
1. Q&A: What is the NIPT prenatal test?
Before answering the question when pregnant women should have NIPT test, we need to understand what is NIPT prenatal test? This is one of the most modern prenatal screening methods, ensuring safety and high accuracy.
Specifically, this test method is performed based on the analysis and evaluation of the free DNA sample of the fetus. In particular, this screening test is non-invasive, because the sample is taken from the blood of a pregnant woman. Therefore, the NIPT screening test is considered safe for the fetus.
Usually, the above method will be used to detect abnormalities in the baby's chromosomes. Based on that, doctors diagnose early birth defects or the risk of some serious syndromes caused by chromosomal disorders.
The NIPT test is usually done first, if an abnormality is detected. Doctors will advise in-depth examination by methods such as amniocentesis, chorionic villus biopsies, ...
2. Who Should Get a NIPT Screening Test?
Every parent wants their child to be born healthy and develop stably. To do this, people should actively learn and perform screening tests during pregnancy.
It can be said that the NIPT screening test is not a mandatory test for all women during pregnancy. If you have financial conditions and want to ensure the stable development of the fetus, you can perform this method.
In addition, prenatal screening tests are also prescribed by doctors for some cases of women. So who should go for prenatal screening?
Pregnant women over the age of 35 are often encouraged to have prenatal screening tests. Many studies have shown that the baby is at risk of birth defects and serious syndromes if the mother is older. Therefore, we need to actively monitor, promptly detect the above problems, and have timely solutions.
Prenatal screening is also needed for those who have had a history of miscarriage, stillbirth, or a family history of a chromosomal disorder. If you get an early NIPT screening test, you can reduce your risk of this happening.
In addition, pregnant women thanks to artificial insemination, who often work in hazardous environments, should actively go for prenatal screening tests.
3. When is the right time for a NIPT screening test?
Surely many women wonder when is the right time to take the NIPT screening test? According to research, starting from 10 weeks of pregnancy, pregnant women can go for prenatal screening tests. It is best to learn and implement early to limit the possible bad problems for the fetus.
As analyzed above, this is a safe screening method with good accuracy. Doctors will take blood samples from pregnant women for analysis and evaluation instead of amniocentesis or other invasive measures. Therefore, you are completely assured of the safety, not affecting the health and development of the baby.
In particular, the NIPT prenatal screening test method has a fairly good prognostic ability. Therefore, people do not need to perform too many different types of tests and screenings during pregnancy.
4. Accuracy of the NIPT . Screening Test
Besides safety, people are also very concerned with the quality and accuracy of the NIPT screening test method. Overall, the results help doctors identify the risks associated with chromosomal disorders.
However, to accurately diagnose the development of the fetus, you need to perform an in-depth examination and testing. Thus, it can be affirmed that the NIPT method has the main task of screening. If we want to know the status of the fetus, we need to rely on more in-depth examination methods.
Hopefully this article has helped you better understand the NIPT screening test and who should have it. Screening is not mandatory but should be done if possible. Thanks to this, chromosomal disorders occurring in the fetus can be detected in time.