A safer answer,
earlier in pregnancy
Our Non-Invasive Prenatal Test screens for the most common chromosomal conditions from a single maternal blood draw — as early as week 9. No risk to the pregnancy. Results in 7 to 10 days.
The earliest screen available
NIPT can be drawn from the start of week 9 — earlier than any other prenatal screening test. The window stays open well into the second trimester, giving you flexibility for follow-up if needed.
Conditions covered
The IMC NIPT covers the three most common autosomal trisomies, sex chromosome aneuploidies, and — when requested — fetal sex.
Down syndrome
Trisomy 21. Detection rate >99% with a false-positive rate below 0.1%.
Edwards syndrome
Trisomy 18. High sensitivity in singleton pregnancies.
Patau syndrome
Trisomy 13. Reported alongside the major trisomies.
Sex chromosome aneuploidies
Includes 45,X (Turner), 47,XXY (Klinefelter), 47,XXX, and 47,XYY.
Fetal sex (optional)
Requested separately. Reported only at the parents' written request.
From draw to report
Blood draw
10 mL maternal whole blood in EDTA tubes from week 9 onward.
Plasma isolation
Plasma is separated; cell-free fetal DNA is extracted.
Sequencing
Low-coverage whole-genome sequencing on the Illumina platform.
Analysis
Z-score-based aneuploidy detection with internal QC.
Report & counseling
Result reviewed with a board-certified counselor.
Common questions
NIPT is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. Positive findings are confirmed by amniocentesis or CVS.
When can I take the NIPT test?
NIPT can be performed from as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy. It requires only a simple blood draw from the mother — no special preparation or fasting is needed.
Is NIPT safe for my baby?
Absolutely. NIPT is completely non-invasive. It analyzes fragments of your baby's DNA that naturally circulate in your blood — no needles or instruments come anywhere near the baby. There is zero risk of miscarriage.
What conditions does NIPT screen for?
NIPT screens for the most common chromosomal conditions: Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18), Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13), and sex chromosome abnormalities including Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome. Fetal sex can also be determined if desired.
How is NIPT different from the standard prenatal blood tests?
Traditional first-trimester screening (combined test) has a detection rate of about 85-90% for Down syndrome with a 5% false positive rate. NIPT has a detection rate over 99% with a false positive rate below 0.1%, meaning far fewer unnecessary invasive procedures.
What happens if I get a high-risk result?
A high-risk NIPT result does not mean your baby definitely has the condition — it means the risk is elevated and diagnostic testing (amniocentesis or CVS) is recommended to confirm. We offer genetic counseling to help you understand your results and next steps.
Discuss NIPT with your provider
Whether you are a patient asking about prenatal screening or a provider ordering for a patient, our team can answer your clinical and logistical questions.