percept is a non-invasive prenatal screening test (NIPT) for chromosome conditions.
NIPT is a blood test that looks at small pieces of DNA from your pregnancy. These pieces are found in your blood by the time you are 10 weeks pregnant. By looking at these pieces of DNA, percept NIPT can tell you if there’s an increased chance that your pregnancy may have a chromosome condition, such as Down syndrome.
percept NIPT looks at all 23 pairs of chromosomes, meaning it screens for many chromosome conditions.
When can I have this test?
You can have percept NIPT anytime from 10.5 weeks of pregnancy.
How much does percept NIPT cost?
$449.
This test is not covered by private health insurance or Medicare.
What will percept NIPT tell me?
percept NIPT will tell you the chance that your pregnancy may have a certain type of chromosome condition.
percept NIPT looks for conditions across all 23 pairs of chromosomes. This includes:
• The three most common chromosome conditions seen in pregnancy – Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome.
• Less common conditions caused by changes to the number of chromosomes.
• Conditions caused by changes to chromosome structure (missing or extra pieces of chromosomes).
• Sex chromosome conditions caused by changes to the X and Y chromosomes (which determine the sex of the baby). Testing can also identify the sex of your baby.
For more information including any price variations see vcgs.org.au/perceptNIPT.
It is recommended that an ultrasound be performed in addition to Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing.
The early fetal anatomy screen is ideally performed between 13-14 weeks and may need the addition of transvaginal scanning. The NT (nuchal translucency) measurement remains an important marker for fetal anomalies as does the Intra-Cranial Translucency (ICT).
Many anomalies that would previously not have been diagnosed until the later fetal morphology scan are potentially visualised at this earlier stage of gestation. Depending on the anomalies evident and the level of screening prior to NIPT, further investigation may be initiated as a result of abnormal findings.
Introduction to Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
Frequently Asked Questions on Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing – click here