The Illumina Test: Advanced Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPT)

Welcome to Women’s Health at Grosvenor Gardens Healthcare, centrally located in London. Here, we offer the Illumina Test, a revolutionary non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPT) for assessing the risk of Down’s Syndrome in an unborn child. We are proud to be one of the elite clinics in the UK, especially in the London areas of Mayfair and Westminster, to offer this advanced screening technique. Our mission is to deliver expectant parents with precise, dependable, and reassuring prenatal screening options.

The Illumina Test: Unrivalled Accuracy and Peace of Mind

The Illumina Test utilises a straightforward blood test taken from the expectant mother, starting as early as the 10th week of pregnancy. This test is highly proficient at predicting common chromosomal abnormalities such as Trisomy 21 (Down’s Syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome), and Trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome).

Clinical research demonstrates that the Illumina Test boasts detection rates of over 99% for Down’s Syndrome, all while posing no risk to the developing baby. This non-invasive approach is a far more attractive alternative to the traditional, invasive methods like chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis, which can be both stressful and pose potential risks.

Superior Accuracy and Reduced False Positives

Chromosomal conditions can affect any pregnancy, regardless of family history, making the Illumina Test invaluable. It offers superior accuracy compared to conventional screening methods and significantly lowers the likelihood of false positives.

At Grosvenor Gardens Healthcare, we collaborate closely with the UK’s most established and prominent private laboratory. Typically, you can expect to receive Harmony test results in less than seven working days. If you seek a reputable and trustworthy clinic for your prenatal screening, do not hesitate to get in touch with us today.

About the Illumina Test: Unmatched Precision

How Accurate is NIPT?

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) represents a screening test specifically tailored for women unlikely to have a baby with a chromosome condition. It surpasses the accuracy of first-trimester blood screenings and ultrasound tests, thereby reducing the necessity for invasive procedures like chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis, although these may still be required to confirm a high probability result.

NIPT screening for the most common chromosome conditions – trisomy 21, 18, and 13 – offers the highest precision. While screening for other syndromes or fetal sex remains reasonably reliable, it is not as precise as screening for these three conditions.

Who Should Consider NIPT?

Chromosomal conditions, including Down syndrome (trisomy 21), typically do not run in families and can occur in any pregnancy. Although the likelihood of having a baby with Down syndrome increases with age, most cases involve women under the age of 35.2.

To be eligible for this test, you should be at least 10 weeks pregnant. Patients who have undergone bone marrow or organ transplants or have metastatic cancer are not eligible.

How Does NIPT Work?

Small fragments of DNA from both the mother and the placenta naturally circulate in the mother’s blood. TDL Genetics employs an NIPT assay called Veriseq v2, developed by Illumina and processed in our London laboratory. This assay assesses the proportions of DNA fragments from specific chromosomes.

An abnormal proportion suggests a potential chromosome condition involving the placenta and, potentially, the developing baby.

What to Expect in the NIPT Report

Your sample is evaluated to determine if there is sufficient DNA from the developing pregnancy for a reliable result. For each condition specified on the request form, the report indicates whether there is a low or high probability of the condition being present.

Results are typically transmitted to your healthcare provider within five business days. Your healthcare provider will discuss the report with you and recommend further investigations if necessary. Before the test, we strongly encourage you to discuss your plans and preferences regarding the potential results.

Interpreting Results

A low probability result does not guarantee the absence of Down syndrome. Any screening test carries a slight risk of a ‘false negative,’ but NIPT has a much lower likelihood of this compared to conventional screening methods.

A high probability result indicates a greater chance that your baby may have a chromosome condition, prompting the offer of amniocentesis for a definitive assessment. We offer comprehensive support and counselling to assist you in making informed decisions.

Twin Pregnancies

The Illumina Test can be applied to twin pregnancies, except in the case of vanishing or demised twins. The sex of twins will be reported as one result. If at least one twin is male, the result will indicate male; if both are female, the result will indicate female.

Ensuring Reliable Results

In rare instances, approximately two out of 100 women may require a repeat test, and no charges will apply if a result cannot be obtained. Sometimes, an NIPT result cannot be issued due to the complex biology of pregnancy, rather than a test method failure.

Understanding Limitations

Our NIPT assay, VeriSeq NIPT Solution v2, is not validated for use in pregnancies with more than two fetuses or in cases of fetal demise, mosaicism, partial chromosome aneuploidy, triploidy, translocations, maternal aneuploidy, transplant, or malignancy. It does not detect neural tube defects, and rare biological conditions may affect test accuracy.

Given these limitations, the possibility of inaccurate results exists, which is why confirmatory testing may be necessary in cases of high probability or clinical indications.

Choose Peace of Mind with Illumina Test

We invite you to experience the exceptional precision and peace of mind offered by the Illumina Test. Make informed decisions about your pregnancy with the most advanced non-invasive prenatal screening available. Contact Grosvenor Gardens Healthcare today for more information and to schedule your screening.