TEST DESCRIPTION: 
The Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is a prenatal screening test used to detect potential chromosomal abnormalities and other fetal health concerns. It provides expectant parents with early insights into their baby's genetic health. NIPT is a blood test recommended for all pregnant women. 
Overview of the NIPT 
The NIPT Test is a sensitive screening test that primarily assesses the condition of Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18), Patau syndrome (trisomy 13) and sex chromosomes aneuploidy. NIPT lab tests can also detect other chromosome abnormalities. 
While it's a valuable tool, it's important to remember: NIPT is a screening test: It indicates an increased risk of an abnormality, but it's not diagnostic. Further testing may be needed. 
NIPT doesn't detect all abnormalities: It focuses on specific chromosomal conditions. 
Moreover, a non-invasive prenatal paternity test can be performed as early as the 9th week of pregnancy to determine the paternity of the fetus. 
Unlike other invasive tests like Chorionic villus sampling (CVS), amniocentesis, and percutaneous umbilical blood sampling, a basic NIPT test poses no risk to the fetus. 
Chromosomal abnormalities can happen during fetal development or egg/sperm formation due to errors in cell division (meiosis or mitosis). While maternal age is a risk factor, these abnormalities can occur in pregnancies regardless of age or health history. 
NIPT test can scan several key abnormalities and help doctors and parents-to-be to prepare for and manage pregnancy more effectively.