Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening is an alternate way to screen for Down syndrome, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13 using only a sample of the mother’s blood.

During a pregnancy, some of the baby’s cells break down end up in the mother’s blood stream. These broken down cells release DNA - this DNA contains the ‘genetic make-up’ of the developing baby. The technology used in NIPT detects the baby’s DNA and provides a way to identify if the baby has an increased chance of having a chromosomal condition. The results come back as ‘low-risk’ (not likely that the baby has a chromosomal difference) or ‘high-risk’ (invasive testing must be done to confirm this result).

Sometimes the lab is not able to get a result from the mother’s blood sample. The amount of fetal DNA in a maternal blood sample can be related to the gestational age and the lab may request for you to have another blood test drawn or you may wish to look at your other options.

Cell-free DNA screening requires two tubes of maternal blood and this sample can be collected any time after 10 weeks gestation. Kits are typically available from your health care provider and then you take the kit to the lab for the blood draw. Results are usually available in about 10 days. This screen is offered by private companies and is not presently covered by Alberta Health Care.

There are cell-free DNA screening options available to pregnant women in the Calgary Zone. Kits can be ordered, by health care providers, through the providers websites. It is recommended that all women book an appointment for their cell-free DNA blood draw by calling Alberta Precision Labs at 403-770-5136. Remember - the pregnant individual should be at least 10 weeks pregnant prior to the blood draw.

Alberta Health Services does not endorse specific agencies or services; choice of cell-free DNA companies should be based on the clinical findings and care provider judgment.