What is a Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)?

Generation is our non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) that screens for chromosomal changes that can affect your baby's future health.

NIPT uses a blood sample from the mother to determine the chance of a chromosomal condition in the developing baby from as early as the 10th week of pregnancy. Generation is highly accurate and safe, and may help avoid more invasive prenatal testing by amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.

Three NIPT options are available:

• Generation
• Generation 46
• Generation Plus

All options provide information on the chance that your baby is affected by common chromosomal conditions including Down syndrome, and advise of the fetal sex if this is something you wish to know. Your doctor can advise on the best Generation test for your personal circumstances.

How does the Generation test work?

Our genetic information is found in our DNA, on structures called chromosomes. Extra or missing chromosomes can lead to chromosomal conditions that cause miscarriage or results in the birth of a child with mental or physical disabilities.

During pregnancy, some of the baby’s DNA from the placenta crosses into your bloodstream. After your blood test, the Generation NIPT tests this DNA to identify certain chromosome conditions in your pregnancy.

Generation NIPT benefits

• Convenient - available at a collection centre near you from as early as 10 weeks.
• Highly accurate - NIPT has a 99% accuracy rate for Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome),18 (Edwards syndrome) & 13 (Patau syndrome) and is more accurate than a first trimester screen.
• Reliable - Generation has the lowest reported test failure rate of any NIPT so expect a result the first time, eliminating stress and time wasted in recollection.
• Fast results - 3-7 business days of sample arriving at the Genomic Diagnostics laboratory for Generation and Generation 46, and 11-15 business days of sample arriving at the overseas laboratory for Generation Plus.
• Simple and safe - only a single tube blood test that poses no risk to your baby
• Quality results - All screens are analysed in an accredited laboratory.

Why should I take the Generation test?

The Generation test can be used to obtain important and accurate information about the health of your developing baby in the first trimester (at 10 weeks), with little or no risk to the pregnancy.

This screening test may be an option for you if:

• You would like information on possible health issues with your baby
• You will be 35 years or older at the time of delivery (32 years or older for a twin pregnancy)
• You have an abnormal or “positive” serum screen
• Your ultrasound has revealed concerns or abnormalities with fetal growth and / or development
• You have a personal or family history suggestive of a chromosome disorder (eg. Down syndrome)

What’s more, clinical best practice guidelines from Australian and international medical societies recommend that all pregnant women, regardless of risk status, be given the opportunity to take an NIPT and other available prenatal screening and diagnostic tests.