Pregnancy is a delicate phase in a woman's life, and parents-to-be want to be careful at every stage. Metropolis's service is very much liked whenever we talk about pregnancy and related tests. This is because it has state-of-the-art labs and equipment with trained staff and competent doctors to help deliver accurate results. Metropolis is a leading health care provider that has now introduced the NextGen NIPT (NextGen) test. This is a type of genetic screening test, whose process is very easy and it gives accurate results.

Metropolis allows you to get such genetic tests done, with the help of which results are quick and accurate. Test rates in Metropolis are also much better than in the rest. Nextgen NIPT and other genetic tests are no less than a boon as they give you the most accurate results. With this, you can know about the mental and physical development of the child in the right way.

What is Nextgen NIPT?

The NIPT-Non-Invasive Prenatal Test is a little different from other genetic screening tests in that there is no risk of pain and miscarriage. This test is completely safe, in which there is no risk to both the mother and the unborn child. As far as NIPT is concerned, it is done by taking a blood sample and its result only tells what action can be taken next.

This test is done in a non-invasive way, which does not cause any problem to the mother's body and does not pose any threat to the safety of the fetus.

How NextGen NIPT Test Works?

Genetic screening test methods have developed rapidly and have simplified the process of sample collection, leaving little to no loss in the safety of the fetus. In the 1970s and 80s, invasive screening and diagnostic tests, especially CVS and amniocentesis, were introduced during this time, and they posed a rare but serious risk to the baby.

Medical professionals have found that if the child-bearing woman is over the age of 35, the child has an increased risk of showing abnormal symptoms. So tests like the Quad test, FTRA test and ultrasound were created and with them came many other screening techniques.

Later on, as the scientific development progressed, so did the NIPT test? As the name suggests, this test is a non-invasive test that is used to test the biomarker of fetal cells in the mother's serum. This was followed by NextGen NIPT which has been developed by Metropolis. This test gives the most accurate results and does not give false-negative rates. It is simple, accurate and has low risk, giving you more than 99% accurate results.

Do you want to know more about NextGen NIPT?

Actually, during pregnancy, fragments of DNA or cell-free DNA are released from the placenta, which is of the fetus. Usually, they are found in very small amounts in the mother's bloodstream, but they can be identified by a NIPT test. The DNA sequencing that takes place is done only through a sample of the bloodstream. After this, the results are drawn through analysis and clinical tests.

With the help of NIPT, it is ascertained whether there is any genetic deficiency or inequality in the child. It is detected in the early stages of pregnancy. This can be done from the 10th week of pregnancy onwards.

If seen scientifically, the standard chromosome number in the fetus is 23 pairs, which means 46, and if there is any change in them, then it is called aneuploidy. If a sample shows aneuploidy, it means that the number of chromosomes is abnormal. For example - Down syndrome in trisomy 21, Patau syndrome in trisomy 13, Edward's syndrome in trisomy 18 and sex chromosome aberrations, it is important to identify whether the child already has any of these life-threatening genetic disorders (genetic disorders). ) passing through.

Metropolis uses Nextgen sequencing technology, and this test produces highly accurate results, even if the cfDNA amount in the mother's blood serum is only 3.5% of fetal fractions.

Who Should Get Nextgen NIPT Test?

Any pregnant woman who has completed at least 10 weeks of pregnancy, who knows about the same or twins can get the NIPT test done. In particular, the International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis (ISPD) recommends that NIPT is accurate and that all pregnant women should undergo a primary screening test.

Who should not get NIPT done?

  • There are also some women for whom the results of the NIPT test will not be correct, such as-
  • Patients who have had an organ transplant in the past
  • Patients having or undergoing stem cell therapy or immunotherapy
  • Patients who have had blood transfusions in the last 12 months
  • Patients with trisomy
  • Cancer patients

What if NIPT is positive?

First of all, let us tell you that NexGen NIPT Screening Test is a kind of screening test and not a diagnostic test. If it comes positive then it means that the child is suffering from some kind of genetic abnormality. If the report comes back positive, then you will need to get further diagnostic tests done and you can consult your gynaecologist about it.

Metropolis also offers a variety of genetic control services where expert doctors can provide pre and post-genetic test counselling to the expecting mother.

Metropolis has a large genetic testing menu that includes confirmatory diagnostic tests such as karyotyping, chromosomal microarray, FISH, and more. These tests are performed on samples such as amniotic fluid and CVS that are extracted by the invasive procedure amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling which have a small risk of miscarriage.

After all, why NextGen NIPT test is better than other tests, to say it in a nutshell-

  • There is no risk of miscarriage in this test.
  • This is a personalized test in which the medical history of the patient is taken care of.
  • It requires a very small amount of blood sample.
  • Reports the risk of aneuploidies in all autosomes (chromosomes 1-22) and sex chromosomes.
  • The report is 99% accurate, which eliminates the possibility of getting a repeat test or getting a wrong result.

Metropolis assures patients of accurate results through scientific testing, highly qualified and approved testing methods, a wide range of tests and screening profiles, a well-equipped laboratory and approved and standardized equipment and high-quality laboratory staff.

Source-

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3893900/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/aneuploidy

Disclaimer

Your skin and body are different just like you. We endeavour to bring you accurate, safe and expertly verified information through our articles and social media handles but still consult your doctor before trying any home remedy, hack or fitness tip.