The process is marked by exciting anticipation. A non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) for the detection of common aneuploidies and fetal sex for expectant parents in India adds a further rosy hue to this narrative. NIPT, also referred to as cell-free DNA testing, is a safe and early way of detecting the child’s sex, in addition to its core functionality of chromosomal abnormality testing.
NIPT Test gender:
This is the same DNA that NIPT analyses, but at much lower concentrations. The test can be done as early as nine to 10 weeks into pregnancy giving you an idea of the sex of the baby far earlier than a US could. With a very early NIPT, the foetal DNA levels might be too low to get a reliable result.
How to read NIPT test results for gender
Your NIPT report will show you if your babies have this tiny extra chromosome or not: here’s what that means.
Boy Indicator: If the paper says Y chromosome or specifies ‘male’, then you are having a boy more than likely. Excellent prediction (99 per cent).
Girls: No Y Chromosome or Female. The report ‘no Y chromosome’ or ‘female’ suggests a fairly substantive probability of a girl. It’s less certain than the male result, though, since it counts on the absence of a marker instead of its presence.
Fetal fraction and gender
Accuracy: NIPT is highly accurate for determining sex and there is a very small chance that you could get the wrong result (or a false negative). This risk can be increased if you have a vanishing twin or certain maternal conditions.
Confirmation options: Some parents opt to receive the NIPT result as an early prediction and wait for confirmation via a follow-up ultrasound.
Gender NIPT test results example
If you understand how NIPT results are reported to gender, you can make more sense of your report Your NIPT result may look something like this:
- Fetal Fraction: 13.5%
- This means there is enough foetal DNA in the sample to detect.
- Sex Chromosome Analysis:
- Y Chromosome: Detected
- This signifies a high probability that you are carrying a male fetus.
How to read NIPT results for gender:
Presence of fetal Y chromosome DNA in your NIPT test result indicates that there is more than 98 per cent possibility of your baby being male.
Important Notes:
This is just an example; the format of your NIPT report might differ slightly depending on the NIPT testing laboratory.
Although NIPT is highly accurate, it is not perfect and results can be affected by a vanishing twin or certain diseases.
But a confirmed sex-determination can also be made at an ultrasound conducted later in pregnancy.
Additional Information:
- Your NIPT report may also include other details such as:
- Information about tested chromosomal abnormalities (Down syndrome, Trisomy 18, Trisomy 13), and risk level.
- For more information about the test, contact the testing laboratory or your healthcare provider.
- Understanding your NIPT findings can help you prepare for the long and busiest period of your life.
The Choice is Yours:
If you do NIPT for non-invasive screening of your baby’s chromosomes, that is an optional extra to the basic test, as is NIPT for gender determination. If you want to add this on, it’s up to you whether or not you do. Talk to your doctor about which options you have, and whether they provide good support about such choices, and whether they feel it’s right for you, and whether or not it will be helpful for you in your pregnancy journey.
Disclaimer:
This blog post is for informational purposes only and not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always contact your healthcare professional to discuss your personal situation and any questions you may have about receiving NIPT testing tests.
