PrenatalSAFE and Panorama
**PLEASE NOTE** NIPT testing can only be booked by phoning
Bray Women’s Health Centre on 01 276 1522
All blood tests are performed in Bray Women’s Health Centre. The ultrasound element can be performed in any of our three clinics. Please book at least 2-3 weeks in advance to avoid potentially long waiting lists.
Please note we no longer perform HARMONY. We are now using PrenatalSAFE instead, as it offers a faster turnaround time and a lower failure rate than Harmony.
The Ultrasound Suite along with the Bray Women’s Health Centre offer PrenatalSAFE and Panorama non-invasive prenatal testing.
Non-invasive prenatal testing (Nipt) analyses cell-free fetal DNA circulating in the mother’s blood. It is a screening test for Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and other conditions such as Edward’s syndrome and Patau syndrome (trisomies 18 and 13), as well as X and Y chromosome conditions. This simple blood test must be performed in conjunction with a dating ultrasound.
In addition to this the fetus’s sex can be determined with >99% accuracy. Accuracy for detecting other sex chromosome anomalies varies by condition. More importantly, the number of women who are required to have invasive testing (amniocentesis or CVS) after undergoing NIPT is <1%.
Please note that if the results of the test show high risk for one of the conditions it does not mean that the fetus definitely has the condition, although it is highly likely. So in the event of a high risk result we recommend amniocentesis or CVS. Please also note that these tests are specific for the above mentioned conditions and they do not rule out all fetal and other pregnancy related abnormalities.
TEST FAILURES / RETESTS: While we get results back on most of our patients, please note that there is an increased likelihood of an inconclusive result on mothers weighing over 85kg, mothers using blood thinners such as Clexane, IVF pregnancies, and twin pregnancies. This can cause unnecessary concern and the hassle of repeating the test. If you fall into one of the above categories, we recommend waiting until 11 or 12 weeks (or later) to perform your NIPT. Fetal fraction increases as gestational age increases thereby reducing the likelihood of receiving an inconclusive result.
A scan is performed in conjunction with the blood test to confirm viability, gestational dating and number of fetuses. This is a simple diagnostic scan just to obtain the above information. You will get a report, 2 pictures as well as a short video clip of the scan sent to you via sms or email. The scan must be performed within 2 weeks prior the blood test, ideally on the same day. If you are over 12 weeks, we suggest booking in for one of our advanced scans if you’d like anatomical details to be checked.
PrenatalSAFE
(€460 Bloods +€99 Scan)
Can be done from 10 weeks onward
Results available within 5 working days
Screens for Downs syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome, fetal sex (optional), Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, Triple X syndrome, XYY syndrome, and XXYY syndrome
Can be performed on twins, IVF donor egg and IVF donor egg twins
Panorama
(Basic + 22q11.2 Deletion €380 + €99 Scan)
(Full Extended Panel €500 + €99 Scan)
Can be done from 9 weeks onward
Results available within 10 working days
The basic package screens for Down syndrome, Edward syndrome, Patau syndrome, fetal sex (optional), Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, Triple X syndrome, XYY syndrome, XXYY syndrome, Triploidy, 22q11.2 deletion (DiGeorge)
The extended panel screens for everything in the basic package as well as 1p36 deletion Cri-du-chat syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome.
Can be performed on twins, IVF donor egg and IVF donor egg twins
For more information please visit:
PrenatalSAFE and Panorama
NIPT is not suitable for vanishing twin pregnancies.
The microdeletion Panorama options are not suitable for IVF donor egg pregnancies.