At Niva Medical Clinic, based in Stanmore and serving Harrow, Edgware, Bushey, and surrounding areas, we are proud to offer Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) and early gender testing as part of our comprehensive pregnancy care services.
Whether you’re seeking reassurance about your baby’s health or eager to learn your baby’s gender early, we are here to support you throughout your pregnancy journey.
What is NIPT?
NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) is a safe, highly accurate screening test that uses a simple maternal blood sample to analyse cell-free fetal DNA (cfDNA) circulating in the mother’s bloodstream. It is typically performed from 10 weeks of pregnancy onwards.
NIPT screens for common chromosomal conditions, including:
– Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)
– Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome)
– Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)
– Sex chromosome aneuploidies, such as:
- X (0) – Turner syndrome
- XXY – Klinefelter syndrome
- XYY – Jacob’s syndrome
- XXX – Triple X syndrome
The test requires a simple venous blood draw from the mother’s arm, with no risk to the baby. Results are typically available within 5-7 working days.
NIPT Accuracy
Compared to traditional NHS combined first trimester screening, NIPT offers higher accuracy and a lower false-positive rate.
| Test Type | Sensitivity (Detection Rate) | False Positive Rate |
| Combined First Trimester Screening | ~82% | 1 in 26 |
| NIPT | >99% | <1 in 1,000 |
NIPT Sensitivity & Specificity
| Condition | Sensitivity (Detection) | Specificity |
| Trisomy 21 | >99.9% (95% CI: 97.1%) | >99.90% (95% CI: 99.63%) |
| Trisomy 18 | >99.9% (95% CI: 91.4%) | >99.90% (95% CI: 97.1%) |
| Trisomy 13 | >99.9% (95% CI: 87.1%) | >99.90% (95% CI: 99.64%) |
Limitations of NIPT
While NIPT is a highly accurate screening tool, it has certain limitations. It is not suitable for patients with:
❌ Recent maternal blood transfusion
❌ Maternal mosaicism
❌ Maternal prior organ or stem cell transplant
❌ Maternal copy number variations
❌ Maternal autoimmune disease
❌ Maternal neoplasms (benign or malignant)
❌ Fetoplacental mosaicism or confined placental mosaicism
❌ Fetal demise or vanishing twin syndrome
Other important limitations:
🔸 Sex chromosome anomalies cannot be reported in twin pregnancies.
🔸 NIPT is not validated for pregnancies with:
- More than two fetuses
- Partial chromosomal aneuploidy
- Triploidy
- Translocations
- Maternal aneuploidy
- Transplants
- Malignancies
🔸 NIPT does not detect neural tube defects.
🔸 In twin pregnancies:
- A high-probability result applies to at least one fetus.
- A male result applies to one or both fetuses.
- A female result applies to both fetuses.
Early Gender Testing from 6 Weeks
We also offer early gender testing from 6 weeks of pregnancy using a simple maternal blood test. This test provides highly accurate gender results (99.9% accuracy), allowing you to prepare and bond with your baby earlier in your pregnancy.
Why Choose Niva Medical Clinic, Stanmore?
✅ Local and convenient – easily accessible from Stanmore, Harrow, Edgware, Bushey, Watford, and surrounding areas
✅ Quick results – NIPT and gender test results within 5-7 working days
✅ Simple, safe testing – just a maternal blood sample required
✅ Personalised, expert care – from experienced GPs and pregnancy specialists
✅ Flexible appointments – including evenings and weekends
Book Your NIPT or Gender Test in Stanmore Today
Gain peace of mind with early, accurate insights into your baby’s health and gender. If you’re based in Stanmore, Harrow, Edgware, Hatch End, Pinner or nearby, contact Niva Medical Clinic today to book your NIPT or early gender testing appointment.
📞 Call us today on 020 8865 1938 or enquire via our website/chat/email to schedule your appointment.
Important Note
NIPT is a screening test, not diagnostic. High-probability results should be confirmed through diagnostic testing (such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling). Early gender testing is highly accurate but should be confirmed at the routine 20-week anomaly scan.
