Award-Winning Practice 2023 and Outstanding Patient Experience 2024 - Midlands Ultrasound and Medical Read more...
Award-Winning Practice 2023 and Outstanding Patient Experience 2024 - Midlands Ultrasound and Medical Read more...
MUMS offer three NIPT screening options: and an additional singe-gene screen that screens for 25 genetic conditions:
A Non-Invasive Prenatal Test is a screening test offered in pregnancy to screen for common chromosomal conditions, without the risk of miscarriage. This is a blood test usually performed in conjunction with an ultrasound scan. The scan is to confirm gestation and viability before 13 weeks of pregnancy.
These tests are DNA/screening tests where a sample of blood is taken from the mother from as early as 9 weeks gestation for Panorama and 10 weeks for Illumina. The Vistara Single Gene NIPT can be tested from 9 weeks and results take 3 weeks.
These simple prenatal genetic blood tests reveal the likelihood of your baby having a condition such as Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18), and Patau Syndrome (Trisomy 13) and other specific chromosome conditions. There is also an option for you to request the gender of the baby with a NIPT when the result is processed.
The Panorama and Illumina NIPT performance is superior to traditional screening for Down Syndrome. The NIPT test is the most accurate screening which is non-invasive using cfDNA (cell free DNA) to detect chromosome abnormalities. Chromosomal conditions such as Down Syndrome do not typically run in families and can happen to anyone in pregnancy, although the chance of having a baby with Down Syndrome increases with age. However, most babies born with Down Syndrome are born to women under the age of 35, as the uptake of screening is less common in this age range.
Sex chromosome aneuploidy conditions are included in all NIPT offered at MUMS’ clinic. These conditions occur when there is a missing, extra, or incomplete copy of the X or Y chromosome. Both Panorama and Illumina NIPT include the sex chromosome aneuploidy panel to assess risks for abnormal X and Y chromosomes for example Klinefelter and Turner syndromes.
At the time of birth, Down Syndrome is the most prevalent trisomy, diagnosed in new-borns. It can cause digestive problems, congenital heart issues, and other deformities in addition to being linked to moderate to severe intellectual/learning difficulties.
A high rate of miscarriage is linked to Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome. These affected babies have multiple abnormalities including congenital heart problems and significant cognitive abnormalities incompatible with independent life. Only a few affected new-borns survive past their first year of life, the majority pass away during pregnancy or shortly after birth.
Often – expectant mums seek a blood test for Down Syndrome during pregnancy or a chromosome check. Down Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormality screening is included in NIPT tests. Private prenatal testing for Down Syndrome is a commonly private screening test for expectant mums.
The NIPT does not provide information on other physical defects such as spina bifida, or information on fetal growth. It is therefore recommended that the mother has all the usual ultrasound scans during her pregnancy. See MUMS 16-20 week fetal development scan.
The scan associated with NIPT screening simply checks baby’s heartbeat and gestation.
This scan is not for:
NIPT screening can be offered at any gestation period from 9/10 weeks.
However – for ladies who are beyond 12 weeks wanting NIPT and a scan for more than just clarification of gestation and heartbeat then book one of the scans above with your NIPT test as an add on. This 2nd/3rd trimester scan will be with one of our fetal medicine consultants or senior sonographers.
Vistara Single-Gene Non-Invasive Prenatal Test – Identifies if your baby is at a higher risk of having a single-gene genetic condition
The Vistara prenatal single-gene blood screening test is offered at MUMS – for serious genetic conditions. Vistara tests for 25 genetic conditions.
Genes are sections of DNA which guide how our cells function and grow. Some genetic conditions are caused by chance, when a change happens in a specific gene in an egg or sperm.
Single-gene conditions can impact a developing baby’s – bones, heart, brain and skull.
Vistara is available for singleton pregnancies, including egg donor and gestational carrier pregnancies.
NIPT Panorama and Illumina screens for large genetic changes such as Downs, Edwards, Patau whereas Vistara single-gene screens offers additional insights about your baby’s health from the placental DNA for signs of single-gene changes.
Nuchal Translucency 1st Trimester combined screening test – is the traditional way of screening for Down Syndrome in the NHS and is carried out between 11-14 weeks. This test gives you a risk based on the Nuchal Translucency measurement, hormone blood results and maternal age. It is not as accurate as the Gold Standard – NIPT – Panorama and Illumina. The detection rate from Nuchal Screening is 85-90% whereas NIPT Testing detection rates are 99.9% accurate for Down Syndrome. Women may still choose to have their NHS 12-week scan and Nuchal Screening (or privately) but have NIPT privately.
We offer Panorama and Illumina. Although Panorama can be offered from 9 weeks, the turnaround times is longer than Illumina due to the laboratory being overseas. The costs for both Panorama and Illumina are the same. Panorama unlike Illumina – offers an extended panel to screen for more rare chromosome conditions too – at an additional cost. Panorama is preferred for twins. Patients often choose Vistara single-gene NIPT in addition to either Panorama or Illumina NIPT
Panorama from 9 weeks, Illumina from 10 weeks, Vistara from 9 weeks.
You need a scan with this test which is included in the price, to check the heartbeat and gestation. If you have had a recent scan within 48 at MUMS or elsewhere the cost is reduced as we do not need to scan you again.
Panorama - up to 10 days for a result.
llumina – up to 7 days for a result.
Vistara - up to 3 weeks for a result
We call you and email you a copy of the result as soon as it is received at MUMS. We offer this 6 days per week.
Yes
Yes
In this case, one of our consultants/Fetal medicine specialists will call you with the results and explain what they mean and what is the next step from there and we will inform the screening midwives at your local hospital and will send all relevant paperwork. We offer a second opinion scan and consultation with our Fetal Medicine Consultant - £300. We also offer invasive testing – namely CVS and Amniocentesis.
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