NIPT – Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a test expecting parents can undertake to screen their babies for genetic conditions during pregnancy. Due to its non-invasive nature, the test is safe and poses no physical risk to the mother or baby.

With extensive expertise in prenatal testing and patient care, Monash IVF KPJ Johor is a trusted choice for NIPT screening in Malaysia.

Blood sample collection for NIPT screening during pregnancy

What is Non-invasive Prenatal Screening Test?

NIPT is a blood test that can be done as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy to screen for genetic disorders caused by extra or missing chromosomes. The blood drawn from an expecting mother contains fetal DNA. In an NIPT test, this DNA is analysed for any chromosomal abnormalities.

Unlike invasive methods like amniocentesis which involves taking a sample of amniotic fluid from the uterus through the belly, NIPT just requires a simple blood test and offers a risk-free alternative for checking your baby’s health.

What Is Screened in a NIPT Test During Pregnancy

NIPT tests during pregnancy help to assess the likelihood that your baby has certain genetic disorders. This test screens for various conditions and chromosomal abnormalities, including:

Down syndrome (Trisomy 21)
Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18)
Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13)
Sex chromosome abnormalities

In a large-scale study of over 140,472 pregnancies published in Frontiers in Public Health, found that NIPT detected twice as many cases of Down syndrome compared to second-trimester serum screening, which means fewer expecting mothers were subjected to unnecessary invasive procedures like amniocentesis.

Who Should Consider NIPT Screening Test?

Non-invasive prenatal screening in Malaysia is typically recommended for:

Expecting women over the age of 35
Those with a family history of genetic disorders
Parents seeking reassurance about their baby’s health

Safe NIPT screening performed during early pregnanc

Accurate non-invasive prenatal test results for a healthy pregnancy

How Accurate is the NIPT Test Results?

NIPT is highly accurate in detecting common chromosomal abnormalities. According to WebMD (2025), NIPT detects Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) with 99% accuracy, Trisomy 18 with 97% accuracy, and Trisomy 13 with 87% accuracy.

A comprehensive review published in the Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology in late 2024, which assessed over 600,000 cases, reported that NIPT is more accurate when done earlier in pregnancy. If done around 12 weeks, the false positive rate is low, between 8 and 18%. However, if testing delayed after 17 weeks, the rate rose to between 25 and 60%, depending on the specific condition.

However, NIPT is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. Results should always be confirmed with diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis before making any clinical decisions, as recommended by both sources¹². Amniocentesis is invasive and carries some risk, so discuss the procedure and its risks with your fertility specialist before proceeding.

The Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Process at Monash IVF Malaysia

Here are the steps involved in our NIPT testing process:

Initial consultation. Book an appointment with one of our fertility specialists and come in for an initial consultation. Our specialist will discuss your pregnancy and explain the procedure to you.
Blood sample collection. A sample of your blood will be drawn and sent to the lab for examination.
Lab analysis and reporting. In the lab, our scientists will analyse the fetal DNA in your blood sample and report their findings.

Price & Cost of NIPT Testing in Malaysia

NIPT tests in Malaysia entail various costs including consultation fees, medical equipment charges, and lab fees. Monash IVF KPJ Johor strives to provide affordable prenatal care and screening in Malaysia to ensure that expecting mothers receive quality care and enjoy peace of mind.

We offer a variety of prenatal care packages that include NIPT testing, so you can choose one that’s right for you. Contact us now to learn more about our prenatal packages.

NIPT testing procedure helps ensure a healthy birth

Schedule Your NIPT Screening Consultation Today

It’s absolutely normal for expecting parents to worry about their unborn babies. Monash IVF KPJ Johor’s NIPT test offers a safe, non-invasive option for parents-to-be to screen their babies for genetic disorders and assess their health. For your peace of mind, book an appointment for NIPT screening with us today.