NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) is a blood test available from 10 weeks of pregnancy that screens for chromosomal conditions — including Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18), and Patau syndrome (trisomy 13) — by analysing cell-free fetal DNA in the mother's blood. In India, NIPT costs between ₹8,000 and ₹22,000 depending on the panel.
What Is NIPT?
- What it is: A maternal blood test that analyses small fragments of the baby's DNA (cell-free fetal DNA, or cfDNA) that circulate in the mother's bloodstream during pregnancy
- What it is not: It is a screening test, not a diagnostic test — a high-risk result must be confirmed by CVS or amniocentesis
- When: From 10 weeks of pregnancy onwards
- Risk to baby: None — only a maternal blood draw is required
- Accuracy for Down syndrome: ~99% detection rate, <0.1% false-positive rate
NIPT analyses cell-free fetal DNA — small fragments of the baby's DNA released from placental cells that circulate in the mother's blood. By measuring the relative amounts of chromosomal DNA, the test can identify if there is more chromosomal material than expected, suggesting a chromosomal condition.
What Does NIPT Detect?
| Condition | Chromosome | Detection Rate | False Positive Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) | Chromosome 21 (extra copy) | ~99% | <0.1% |
| Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) | Chromosome 18 (extra copy) | ~98% | <0.3% |
| Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) | Chromosome 13 (extra copy) | ~99% | <0.3% |
| Sex chromosome aneuploidies | X and Y chromosomes | ~90–95% | ~0.5% |
| Microdeletions (22q11.2, etc.) | Various (comprehensive panel) | 70–90% | ~0.5–1% |
PCPNDT Act: Disclosure of fetal sex is prohibited under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994. Indian labs will not reveal whether the baby is male or female on NIPT reports, regardless of sex chromosome findings.
NIPT Cost in India
| NIPT Panel | What's Included | Cost Range (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic NIPT | Trisomies 21, 18, 13 | ₹8,000 – ₹12,000 |
| Standard NIPT | Trisomies 21/18/13 + sex chromosome aneuploidies | ₹12,000 – ₹16,000 |
| Comprehensive NIPT | Standard + microdeletion syndromes (22q11.2, 1p36, etc.) | ₹18,000 – ₹22,000 |
| Government / subsidized | Varies by centre | ₹3,000 – ₹8,000 |
NIPT vs. Other Prenatal Tests
~99% detection for T21. No miscarriage risk. Screening only — requires diagnostic confirmation if high-risk. ₹8,000–₹22,000.
~85–90% detection for T21. Combines NT ultrasound + blood markers. Available widely. ₹3,000–₹6,000.
Diagnostic — confirms chromosomal conditions definitively. Small miscarriage risk (~0.5–1%). ₹12,000–₹20,000.
Diagnostic — gold standard. Small miscarriage risk (~0.1–0.3%). ₹8,000–₹15,000.
When Should You Do NIPT?
NIPT can be done from 10 weeks of pregnancy onwards. Before 10 weeks, the fetal fraction (percentage of cell-free DNA that is fetal) may be too low for an accurate result, leading to a higher rate of failed or inconclusive tests.
Most women who choose NIPT do it between 10 and 14 weeks, so results are available before the end of the first trimester. NIPT can also be done in the second trimester if first-trimester screening was missed.
- Women aged 35 or older at the time of delivery (advanced maternal age)
- Abnormal first-trimester combined screening result (NT, PAPP-A, free beta-hCG)
- Previous pregnancy or child with chromosomal condition
- Known balanced chromosomal translocation in a parent
- Significant ultrasound findings suggesting aneuploidy
- Any woman wanting a highly sensitive first-line screening option
Interpreting Your NIPT Results
Low-Risk Result
A low-risk (negative) result means the test did not detect an increased amount of chromosomal material for the conditions screened. This greatly reduces but does not eliminate the risk — NIPT does not detect all chromosomal conditions, and a small number of chromosomal abnormalities will be missed.
High-Risk Result
A high-risk (positive) result means the test detected a pattern consistent with the screened condition. This is not a diagnosis. A positive predictive value (how often the result is truly positive) depends on the condition and maternal age. All high-risk results should be confirmed by a diagnostic test — CVS or amniocentesis — before any clinical decision is made.
"Receiving a high-risk NIPT result is emotionally distressing. A genetic counselor provides context — explaining the actual probability of an affected pregnancy for your specific situation — and guides the decision about whether and how to confirm the result."
Get NIPT Counseling Before and After Testing
Lakshita Thakore is a BGCI Certified Genetic Counselor specialising in prenatal genetics. She helps you choose the right prenatal test and interpret your results.
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