What is NIPT?
NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) analyses tiny fragments of your baby's DNA that circulate naturally in the mother's bloodstream (cell-free fetal DNA). From a single tube of the mother's blood, the laboratory can screen for the most common chromosomal conditions with remarkable accuracy — with zero risk to the baby.
When can NIPT be done?
Any time from 10 weeks 0 days onwards. Results in 7–10 days. Testing early leaves ample time for confirmatory diagnosis if ever needed.
What Does NIPT Screen For?
- Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) — detection rate above 99%
- Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) — detection rate above 97%
- Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) — detection rate above 94%
- Sex chromosome conditions (Turner, Klinefelter) — extended panels
- Selected microdeletion syndromes — where clinically indicated
Why do NIPT at a dedicated fetal medicine center?
NIPT is only as good as the counselling around it. A high-risk result without expert guidance causes needless panic; a low-risk result without a proper scan gives false reassurance. At Dr. Mathew's center in Kollam you get pre-test counselling, the right panel selection, correct interpretation, and — if ever needed — confirmatory amniocentesis under one roof. This is the standard of care followed in international fetal medicine practice.
NIPT and the NT Scan — Better Together
NIPT reads DNA; it cannot see anatomy. The 11–14 week NT scan detects structural problems, confirms your dates, diagnoses twins, and identifies early markers that NIPT cannot. International guidelines — including FMF UK protocols — recommend combining NIPT with the first trimester scan for the most complete early assessment of your baby.
What to Expect
A brief counselling session with Dr. Mathew, followed by a simple blood draw — no fasting required, no risk to the baby. The sample is processed at an accredited genetics laboratory. When the report arrives, the result is explained to you personally, in plain language, with a clear plan for any next step.
Serving South Kerala: Families travel for NIPT counselling and testing from Kollam, Kottarakkara, Karunagappally, Kundara, Paravur, Punalur, Kayamkulam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, and Thiruvananthapuram — because a blood test with expert fetal medicine counselling is worth the journey.