What is NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing)?
The term "NIPT" representing Non-Invasive Prenatal genetic Testing is abbreviated from Non-Invasive Prenatal genetic Testing, and it is translated as non-invasive prenatal genetic testing.
"NIPT" was a temporary name coined by the media, but as of 2018, it has gained a certain level of recognition.
Table of Contents
What is NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing)?
NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) is a test that involves taking a small amount of blood from the mother to examine the fetus's DNA (genes). This test diagnoses three types of chromosomal abnormalities—trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18, and trisomy 13—commonly known as Down syndrome. NIPT boasts a high accuracy rate with a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 99.9%, allowing for the detection of both negative and positive results.
The term "NIPT" representing Non-Invasive Prenatal genetic Testing is abbreviated from Non-Invasive Prenatal genetic Testing and translates to non-invasive prenatal genetic testing. "NIPT" was a temporary name coined by the media, but as of 2018, it has gained a certain level of recognition.
Licensed and Unlicensed Facilities
In Japan, there are medical facilities and hospitals accredited by the Japan Medical Association where NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing), known as "新型出生前診断" in Japanese, is available. There are also unaccredited medical facilities and hospitals offering NIPT services. However, in the United States, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has announced guidelines stating that "all women should be offered the option of screening tests or diagnostic tests for chromosomal abnormalities, including NIPT, regardless of age." In Japan, there has been movement towards expanding general practice in this area, such as the decision by the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (JSOG) in March 2018.
The Japan Medical Association has recognized that undergoing prenatal tests such as NIPT without due consideration can have negative effects on both the mother and child. Therefore, they emphasize the importance for individuals to carefully consider whether to undergo testing, understand what can and cannot be determined by the tests beforehand, and be aware of the implications of a positive result. They require accredited facilities to provide appropriate genetic counseling and psychological care to ensure continuous support. Consequently, the conditions (such as age and timing) and high costs associated with undergoing NIPT make it challenging for individuals to freely access these services.
About This Site
On this website, we aim to provide information from a global perspective on NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing), as well as insights specific to Japan, viewpoints from governments, academic societies, healthcare professionals, medical institutions, and individual blogs. Our goal is to independently research and gather these perspectives and opinions to help address questions and provide insights for expectant mothers and those trying to conceive, regarding NIPT.
*Please note that this website does not advocate for NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing). Instead, it serves as a neutral platform for compiling information about NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing).