With the Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), possible chromosomal alterations in the fetus are studied. The sample is obtained through a simple analysis of the pregnant mother, being a method that does not pose a risk to either the mother or the fetus. This test detects, among other pathologies, Down’s syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome.

What does it consist? The maternal blood sample must be obtained from the tenth week of pregnancy. The genetic laboratory then isolates the cell-free DNA from the fetus and can predict whether is a low or high risk for certain chromosomal abnormalities such as: Drown syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18, trisomy 13, and disorders of the sex chromosomes. Additionally, in most cases, the sex of the baby can be determined.

The final result includes a risk estimate for each chromosomal condition. In most pregnancies, the sex of the fetus can be predicted. This test can be carried out whenever the parents wish, regardless of whether the pregnancy was natural or with the help of assisted reproductive techniques.