NIPT — Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing
A safe blood test from 10 weeks of pregnancy that screens for chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome, with high accuracy and a low false positive rate.
What NIPT screens for
Trisomy 21
Down syndrome
Trisomy 18
Edwards syndrome
Trisomy 13
Patau syndrome
Sex Chromosomes
Optional fetal sex & conditions
Earliest testing window
Detection accuracy
False positive rate
Typical turnaround
Frequently asked questions
What is fetal fraction and why does it matter at 12 weeks?
Fetal fraction is the share of fetal DNA present in the mother’s blood sample. By 12 weeks it is usually high enough for a confident NIPT result; a low reading can require a repeat sample.
What is the NIPT false positive rate?
NIPT has a very low false positive rate compared to older screening methods, though it remains a screening test — a high-risk result should be confirmed with diagnostic testing.
Is NIPT the same as the Harmony test?
Harmony is one well-known NIPT brand. All NIPT options analyze cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood to screen for chromosomal conditions.
Is NIPT safe for me and my baby?
Yes. NIPT only requires a routine maternal blood draw — there is no risk to the pregnancy, unlike invasive procedures such as amniocentesis.