Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) provides insight for pregnant women
Medcan has provided insight, information and guidance through NIPT for pregnant women since 2013
Since 2013, Medcan Genetics has offered pregnant women the most comprehensive prenatal screening available: a non-invasive blood test that can detect specific chromosome abnormalities as early as 10-weeks gestation.
I love my job because I get to support clients with the reliable information they seek in the most timely way possible.
Genetic counsellor insight
Every NIPT client meets with a board-certified genetic counsellor and reviews the test in detail, including potential risks, benefits, limitations and cover any questions they may have. This supportive environment allows clients to make informed decisions that are best for them.
Prenatal testing is a complex and ever-changing space, with many options available. The one-on-one sit down with the genetic counsellor offers context and comfort and has been described as invaluable by many of my clients.
Improved accuracy and early information
The results are typically available within five business days and are reviewed by a genetic counsellor. Remote consultations are also available. Being able to perform the test as early as 10-weeks gestation allows results to be received at an earlier stage. This gives clients more options for diagnostic testing and clinical decision making.
Reliable, comprehensive results
Medcan offers the verifi™ prenatal test by Illumina, which has many advantages, including:
- A chromosome result will be reported as Detected or Not Detected. This is in stark contrast to the numerical ‘risk score’ (i.e. 1/150 risk) commonly reported by other prenatal screening and NIPT tests.
- It directly analyzes DNA from pregnancy, which allows for more accuracy in identifying chromosome abnormalities. The traditional options that look for markers in the blood and the ultrasound but do not look at fetal sources of DNA.
- There are no limitations in reference to ethnicity, body mass index, assisted reproductive technology or egg donor cases.
Eligibility for NIPT
Women who are at least 10-weeks pregnant with a singleton or twin pregnancy are eligible for the test.
View Fact Sheet – Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing >
Jill Davies is the Director of Genetics at Medcan.
