Should pregnant women do NIPT tests for fetal chromosome abnormalities?

The concern of every pregnant woman is to find out whether the fetus she is wearing is developing well. For this reason, most mothers choose to have a pregnancy test to ensure the health of their fetus. No exception, three artists from the homeland, namely Aura Kasih, Kartika Putri and Tasya Kamila, who performed the NIPT test during pregnancy.

NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) is usually done to detect chromosomal abnormalities in infants. But should every pregnant woman take the NIPT test?

Get to know the NIPT test
A non-invasive prenatal test or NIPT test is a pregnancy test that is used to detect certain chromosomal abnormalities in a developing fetus.

In this test, blood samples from pregnant women who have reached 10 weeks of pregnancy will be collected and tested. Because during pregnancy, the baby's DNA enters the mother's blood.

The NIPT test will analyze genetic information contained in DNA to detect the possibility of a number of chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. The risks of chromosomal abnormalities that can be detected are as follows:

Down's syndrome (trisomy 21)
Down's Syndrome 13
Trisomy 18

In addition, this test is considered to be able to give information regarding fetal genital and rhesus (Rh) models. Even more than one NIPT test counted shows the risk of trisomy 16, trisomy 22, sex chromosome abnormalities, certain disorders caused by chromosome deletion like Prader Willi syndrome, and certain single gene disorders.

Why do I need a NIPT test?
You may need a NIPT test because this test is more certain than the usual screening test for the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. This is considered a safe and efficient way to detect the risk of chromosomal abnormalities. In addition, you may need a NIPT test if:

A first-trimester pregnancy screening test shows you are at higher risk of having a baby along with chromosomal abnormalities
You didn't do a first trimester of pregnancy screening test
You want to ensure that you are at higher risk of giving birth to a baby along with chromosomal abnormalities before going through diagnostic tests
You are at high risk of having a baby along with a chromosomal abnormality because for certain reasons, for example, being pregnant at an older age or initially having a baby together with a chromosomal abnormality.

The NIPT test does not pose a physical risk for you and your baby. Although the NIPT test can cause anxiety, but this can help you avoid tests that are more invasive (damaging body tissue).

However, you are obliged to remember that not all chromosomal or genetic abnormalities can be detected.

The NIPT test can only tell you that there is a higher risk of having a baby along with chromosomal abnormalities. So, can't be too sure.

The only way to accurately determine chromosomal abnormalities in your fetus, along with doing a diagnostic test like amniocentesis (amniotic water test).

In addition, you must know that the NIPT test has proven to be less efficient if you:

Twin Pregnant
Obesity
Gestational age is less than 10 weeks
Using certain blood-thinning drugs

If you have this condition, your doctor may recommend other pregnancy tests for you. Therefore, it is too necessary to always consult a doctor regarding your condition and the fetus.

How long will the NIPT test result come out?
The NIPT test may only be in more than one hospital, so that more information is required regarding which hospital is available. In addition, to do the NIPT test requires a sizable fee, so you must consider it wisely. Before conducting a NIPT test you are required to carry out genetic counseling in order to get information that understands regarding various chromosomal abnormalities that exist.

After doing the test, generally you will get the test results within 2 weeks. If the results say "negative", "normal" or "low risk", then your baby may not be affected along with chromosomal abnormalities. Meanwhile, if the results are "positive", "abnormal" or "high risk" then your baby may be affected along with chromosomal abnormalities.

In ascertaining the correctness of abnormal NIPT test results, you are required to carry out diagnostic tests. However, before going to do it, you must have a discussion with your obstetrician.

If your baby is diagnosed with a chromosomal abnormality, you must be encouraged to accept this condition because chromosomal abnormalities are generally irreparable.

In addition, you must definitely consult a doctor regarding the steps you should take to care for the baby during pregnancy and after birth.

It is very necessary for you to be too sure of your risk of having a baby along with chromosomal abnormalities. It never hurts to try various pregnancy tests, like the NIPT test so that you can detect as early as possible chromosomal abnormalities that can run on your baby.