Is it not safe even under 35? The possibility of chromosomal abnormalities in NIPT
Is it okay for people under 35 not to undergo NIPT? The baby is surely going to be born healthy! But is everything really okay?
Whether it's your first pregnancy or not, expectant mothers always have a mix of joy and anxiety. Below is the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities and age.
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Is it okay for people under 35 not to undergo NIPT?
The baby is surely going to be born healthy! But is everything really okay? Whether it's your first pregnancy or not, expectant mothers always have a mix of joy and anxiety.
During the roughly ten months that the baby is in the mother's womb, some people may feel that the pregnancy period is long, while others may feel it's short. However, everyone wants to experience a reassuring pregnancy.
To help alleviate some of the anxieties during this seemingly short yet long pregnancy period, there is NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) for expectant mothers. The number of people undergoing NIPT has been increasing every year.
However, at certified facilities, only those aged 35 and older can undergo NIPT. So, does that mean those under 35 can feel secure without the test?
Frequency of Chromosomal Abnormalities and Age
| Maternal Age | Frequency of Children Born with Down Syndrome (per 1,000 births) | Frequency of Children Born with Any Chromosomal Abnormality (per 1,000 births) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 years | 1 in 1,667 (0.6) | 1 in 526 (1.9) |
| 25 years | 1 in 1,250 (0.8) | 1 in 476 (2.1) |
| 30 years | 1 in 952 (1.1) | 1 in 384 (2.6) |
| 31 years | 1 in 909 (1.1) | 1 in 384 (2.6) |
| 32 years | 1 in 769 (1.3) | 1 in 323 (3.1) |
| 33 years | 1 in 625 (1.6) | 1 in 286 (3.5) |
| 34 years | 1 in 500 (2.0) | 1 in 238 (4.2) |
| 35 years | 1 in 385 (2.6) | 1 in 192 (5.2) |
| 36 years | 1 in 294 (3.4) | 1 in 156 (6.4) |
| 37 years | 1 in 227 (4.4) | 1 in 127 (7.9) |
| 38 years | 1 in 175 (5.7) | 1 in 102 (9.8) |
| 39 years | 1 in 137 (7.3) | 1 in 83 (12.0) |
| 40 years | 1 in 106 (9.4) | 1 in 66 (15.2) |
| 41 years | 1 in 82 (12.2) | 1 in 53 (18.9) |
| 42 years | 1 in 64 (15.6) | 1 in 42 (23.8) |
| 43 years | 1 in 50 (20.0) | 1 in 53 (30.3) |
| 44 years | 1 in 38 (26.3) | 1 in 26 (38.5) |
| 45 years | 1 in 30 (33.3) | 1 in 21 (47.6) |
| 46 years | 1 in 23 (43.5) | 1 in 16 (62.5) |
| 47 years | 1 in 18 (55.6) | 1 in 13 (76.9) |
| 48 years | 1 in 14 (71.4) | 1 in 10 (100.0) |
| 49 years | 1 in 11 (90.9) | 1 in 8 (125.0) |
As seen in the table above, the likelihood of having a child with Down syndrome or some chromosomal abnormality increases with age. However, it's not as though the probability suddenly spikes at age 35; the risk is not zero even for those under 35.
Chromosomal Abnormality Risk is Not Only for Women
In the context of pregnancy and childbirth, much attention is given to the mother's age by the media and other sources, but the father's age is also relevant. According to research from the United States, the risk of genetic mutations increases in men over 35.
Men's sperm undergo frequent cell division, which makes genetic mutations more likely, and age-related degeneration can lead to abnormalities. It is said that older fathers are more likely to have children with brain function disorders such as autism, while older mothers are more likely to have children with chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome.
Even if the mother is under 35, caution may be necessary if the father is over 35.
How to Undergo NIPT Testing Under 35
In the United States, NIPT is recommended for pregnant women of all ages and is considered a common test regardless of age.
If you are under 35 and wish to undergo NIPT, you will need to go to a non-certified facility. The results of the tests do not significantly differ between certified and non-certified facilities. Before letting anxiety take over, why not consider reaching out and inquiring about it?