Genetic screening during pregnancy is now more widely available than ever. This increased access is primarily due to recommendations by OB/GYN organizations to offer non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) to all pregnant people. What can NIPT tell you about your pregnancy? What happens if your results show that your pregnancy is at higher risk for one of the conditions screened for by NIPT?
First, it is essential to understand the difference between screening and diagnostic tests. Screening tests provide information on the possibility of a baby having a particular condition. Screening results may be reported as ‘high-risk’ or ‘low-risk’ or as a risk number (e.g., 1 in 100). A diagnostic test can confirm if a baby has a specific condition.
NIPT looks at genetic information from the pregnancy (specifically from the placenta) found in the mother’s bloodstream during pregnancy. As early as nine weeks into pregnancy, NIPT can tell if there is an elevated risk for trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18, trisomy 13, and other genetic conditions caused by microdeletions, which are small, missing parts of a chromosome. One of these conditions is the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DiGeorge syndrome).
What to Do if You Receive a High-Risk NIPT Result
Remember that NIPT is a screening test. A high-risk NIPT result means that the chance that the pregnancy has one of the screened conditions is significantly increased. A high-risk NIPT result is not a diagnosis of the condition in the baby.
For all genetic testing during pregnancy, there is a chance of receiving a high-risk result for a pregnancy that is unaffected by the specific condition marked as high-risk. This type of result can sometimes be called a ‘false-positive result.’ NIPT is designed to have a high degree of accuracy while also being highly sensitive. But still, some tests will return ‘false positives.’ These types of results are more common when the condition being screened for is rare. That’s important to keep in mind since some of the conditions being screened for by NIPT are rare.
There are also biological reasons that might lead to a ‘false-positive result.’ There could be a chromosome difference present in the placenta that is not present in the baby. Or the mother could have a chromosome condition that the test detects.
Given that NIPT is a screening test, no irreversible pregnancy decisions should be made based on the results of NIPT alone. Genetic testing during pregnancy is complex. The results are not always easy for patients to interpret on their own. Let’s review your next best steps:
1. Talk to a genetic counselor, your OB-GYN, and/or maternal-fetal medicine specialist.
After receiving a high-risk NIPT result, you could be referred for genetic counseling. Genetic counselors are master’s trained, board-certified, and often licensed (state-dependent) health care professionals who explain genetic test results and can talk to you about your next best steps and options.
Many genetic screening companies that offer NIPT employ genetic counselors. You may be able to speak to a genetic counselor about your test result at no cost. If you don’t have access to a genetic counselor through your testing company or care provider, you can search for one through the National Society of Genetic Counselors.
You should also speak with your OB-GYN or a maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialist. MFM specialists are OB-GYNs who completed additional years of training in high-risk pregnancies. For all pregnancies, MFM specialists can be a great resource for providing expert insight into your genetic testing results. You can ask your OB-GYN for recommendations on an MFM specialist or search for one through the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
2. Ask your care provider questions to make sure that you understand your genetic test result.
What condition is high-risk? What is the chance that the baby truly has this condition? And what medical issues might affect the child if the diagnosis is confirmed?
Your care provider should be able to explain any test statistics that appear on the test report. High-risk NIPT reports often include a positive predictive value (PPV). The PPV tells you how likely it is that someone with a high-risk NIPT result has an affected pregnancy. For example, a PPV of 95% for Down syndrome means there is approximately a 19 out of 20 chance the baby has Down syndrome and a 1 out of 20 chance that the baby does not have Down syndrome.
3. Consider your options for more evaluations and diagnostic testing.
- Detailed anatomy ultrasound: A detailed ultrasound can be helpful as it looks for any physical signs that might be seen with the chromosomal condition of concern. However, a normal ultrasound does not mean that the baby does not have the condition.
- Prenatal diagnosis: Depending on your screening result and how far along you are in the pregnancy when you receive your results, you may be offered different types of prenatal diagnostic tests:
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): A small amount of placental tissue is removed for chromosomal analysis. This is an outpatient procedure performed between 10-12 weeks of pregnancy. Results are usually available in 1-2 weeks. Following the CVS procedure, the risk for complications, including miscarriage, is <1%.
- Amniocentesis: A small amount of amniotic fluid is removed for chromosomal analysis. This is an outpatient procedure typically performed between 15-20 weeks of pregnancy (but it can also be performed later in pregnancy). Results are usually available in 1-2 weeks. The risk for complications, including miscarriage, is <1% following the amniocentesis procedure.
- Postnatal genetic analysis: Diagnostic testing can also be done after delivery.
4. Personally weigh the risks and benefits of more testing.
How concerned are you about the condition in question? Would a confirmed diagnosis prenatally, rather than postnatally, change your plans for the pregnancy or its management? Can you accept the level of risk associated with CVS or amniocentesis?
A confirmed prenatal diagnosis allows expectant parents to plan the remainder of the pregnancy and consider available options. They can learn what medical problems could affect the newborn and if delivery at a specialized hospital is needed. Families can choose a pediatrician who understands the medical needs of the child. They can inform friends and family of the diagnosis. In some cases, diagnostic testing can rule out the suspected condition, reassuring expectant parents for the remainder of the pregnancy.
Some of the conditions screened for by NIPT, or the associated symptoms, can be treated. Treatment can drastically improve outcomes for newborns. For example, consider the 22q11.2 deletion, the most common microdeletion syndrome. The average age of diagnosis for the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is 4.7 years and can involve a long and sometimes stressful diagnostic odyssey for the family. However, prenatal diagnosis allows for immediate early interventions at birth that could improve outcomes. That can include treatment for low calcium to reduce the risk of seizures, correction of heart defects, and evaluation of vaccination schedules because of immunodeficiencies associated with the 22q11.2 deletion.
Genetic testing during pregnancy can provide valuable information. But it’s important to understand the results, including the limitations of the results and what comes next. Healthcare providers and genetic counselors can help give you information and support to help you prepare and plan for the future.
