What is a NIPT test?
NIPT stands for non-invasive prenatal testing. During pregnancy, short fragments of cell-free DNA circulate in the mother's blood. Some of them come from the placenta and in most cases reflect the chromosomal make-up of the fetus. The test analyses those fragments and estimates the risk of certain chromosomal conditions, with no contact with the pregnancy itself. All it takes is an ordinary blood draw from your arm.
DaNAcare runs on Illumina's VeriSeq NIPT Solution v2, a whole-genome sequencing platform that detects over- or under-representation of chromosomal material. The analysis is performed in Israel, at GGA laboratories owned by Savyon Diagnostics. Pregnicare manages and accompanies the process and does not perform the laboratory analysis itself.
What is actually screened
From a single blood sample, and depending on the level you choose:
- Trisomy 21 — Down syndrome
- Trisomy 18 — Edwards syndrome
- Trisomy 13 — Patau syndrome
- Selected sex chromosome conditions, depending on the type of pregnancy and the level
- At the Advanced level, a screen of all chromosomes including partial deletions and duplications, subject to the laboratory's reporting threshold
From which week?
From week 10 of pregnancy. Before week 10 the share of pregnancy-derived DNA in the mother's blood, known as the fetal fraction, is relatively low, which raises the chance that there will not be enough material to produce a result and a repeat sample will be needed. There is no fasting and no special preparation, and no doctor's referral is required.
Not sure which week you are in? That is completely fine. We will work it out together on the call.
Who the test may suit
- Women who want a chromosomal screen that is sharper than the biochemical screen for the common conditions.
- Singleton and twin pregnancies, subject to the reporting limits of the chosen level and to the details of the pregnancy.
- Pregnancies from egg donation, sperm donation or surrogacy, after an individual suitability check.
- Women at standard or increased risk, with the understanding that where the risk is already increased, or where there is an ultrasound finding, a diagnostic test may be preferable from the outset.
When suitability is checked before booking
Some situations need clarification before the blood draw, because they can affect the result or what can be reported:
- A pregnancy that began as twins where one stopped developing
- A previous organ or bone marrow transplant
- A blood transfusion close to the test
- Active malignancy
- A higher-order multiple pregnancy
If any of these applies to you, tell us on the call. We will check suitability with the professional team before booking.
What the answer looks like
The answer is phrased as low risk or increased risk, not as "positive" or "negative". A low-risk result means the risk for the conditions screened is low, but not zero. An increased-risk result is not a diagnosis: it calls for genetic counselling and consideration of a diagnostic test before any medical decision.
What is a NIPT test?
A non-invasive prenatal screening test. From an ordinary blood draw from the mother's arm, starting at week 10, short fragments of cell-free DNA — mostly from the placenta — are analysed to estimate the risk of certain chromosomal conditions. The answer is worded as low risk or increased risk, never as a diagnosis.
From which week can it be done?
From week 10 of pregnancy. Before that, the share of pregnancy-derived DNA in the mother's blood is lower for a significant number of women, which raises the chance that no result can be produced. No fasting and no preparation are needed.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
No. The test is private and you can book it directly. You may need a document to claim a refund from supplementary health insurance, so it is worth checking that before the test rather than after.
Does the test carry any risk to the pregnancy?
No. It is an ordinary blood draw from the mother, with no contact with the pregnancy at all — unlike amniocentesis and CVS, which sample material from the pregnancy itself.
Where is my sample analysed?
In Israel, at GGA laboratories, owned by Savyon Diagnostics, on Illumina's VeriSeq NIPT Solution v2. The sample does not fly abroad.
Which language will the call be in?
Hebrew or English. The same representatives answer in both. These English pages exist so you can understand the test before you call; you are welcome to have someone translate for you during the call, and we are entirely used to that.