Expert panel stresses on prenatal screening

With the themes of the conference on infertility, high-risk obstetrics and fetal medicine, the panelists spoke about the importance of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) screens. 

Stating that NIPT screens the fetus for commonly occurring chromosomal abnormalities (such as Trisomy 21, a condition in which there is an extra chromosome in the 21st pair leading to Down Syndrome), Dr Sam Balu, Scientific Affairs Manager, MedGenome, the market leader in genomics-based diagnostics and research, which participated in the conference, said, “The screening is done by testing the mother’s blood which contains cell-free DNA from the foetus. This can be done on the 9th week of pregnancy. 

It is a huge step forward in early diagnosis of common disorders like Down Syndrome and Microdeletions such as DiGeorge Syndrome, he stated, adding, that it is quite safe and accurate compared to other invasive testing options available. NIPT enables clinicians with early and accurate prognosis while it empowers parents to make informed choices thereby significantly improving the chances of having a healthy baby”.