The NIPT test: that’s how it is
How exactly does it work and what does such a test cost? We looked it up for you.
Contents
NIPT examines DNA in the blood
NIPT means ‘Non-Invasive Prenatal Test’. The laboratory will examine whether there are indications that your child has Down’s, Edwards’ or Patau’s syndrome. A few tubes of blood are taken for the examination. Your blood contains hereditary material (DNA) from the placenta that is almost always the same as that of your child. Because only blood is needed for the test, you do not run the risk of miscarriage due to the NIPT. Good to know: you can only have the test done from eleven weeks of pregnancy.
Can everyone opt for the NIPT?
Until a few years ago, the NIPT test was only available for pregnant women with an increased risk of having a baby with a chromosome abnormality. But since April 2017, almost all pregnant women can use it. It may be that there is a medical reason that prevents you from opting for the NIPT. Your obstetrician or gynaecologist can check this for you. Your age also counts: you must be at least 16 years old.
Costs and Fee
You will only be reimbursed for the NIPT test if there is a medical indication. For example, if the combination test indicates an increased risk. In that case, the test is reimbursed from the basic insurance. The costs are deducted from your deductible. Is there no medical indication but do you still want to have the NIPT test performed? Then this is not reimbursed from the basic insurance. You then pay 175 euros for the test.
Is my health insurance still right for me? With this tool from Independer you know.
Other chromosome abnormalities
If you have the NIPT done, they can also immediately see in the laboratory whether your child has other (rare) chromosome abnormalities. This is called incidental findings. You can decide for yourself whether you want to know this and can choose from two options:
- You want to know if your baby has Down, Edwards and Patau syndrome.
- You want to know whether your baby has Down, Edwards and Patau syndrome and whether the laboratory has found additional findings.
Read also
These are the medical costs during your pregnancy >
The outcome
After ten days you will receive the results from your gynaecologist or midwife. Have you indicated that you also want to know the incidental findings? If the laboratory has found these, the Center for Prenatal Diagnostics or an outpatient clinic of a university hospital will contact you. It is good to know that the NIPT never gives 100% certainty whether or not your child has a chromosome abnormality. In 75 out of 100 women who get the result that they possible Being pregnant with a child with Down syndrome is true. 25 women are therefore not pregnant with a child with Down syndrome (source: UMCG). A chorionic villus sampling or amniotic fluid test can then provide more clarity.
In the Netherlands you can only opt for the NIPT if you participate in a scientific study (TRIDENT-1 or TRIDENT-2 study). This means that you give permission for researchers to use your data. This concerns data about your pregnancy, the results of the test, any follow-up examination and data about the outcome of the pregnancy/delivery. Your blood is also stored. More information about participating in the study can be found on the website meerovernipt.nl.
More Kek Mama? Follow us on Facebook >
