In today’s world, the problems in newborn babies are increasing due to many factors like maternal health conditions, lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and genetic conditions. All these problems can be checked through amniocentesis treatment vs NIPT tests available in hospitals and labs. These tests help identify problems in babies while they are in the mother’s womb.
In this blog, we will discuss all the factors included in both the amniocentesis and NIPT tests, such as overviews, causes, symptoms, advantages and disadvantages, the cost, accuracy of both tests, and know which one is better.
What is Amniocentesis?
Amniocentesis is a process or test done to remove some amniotic fluid from the pregnant woman’s womb with the help of an amniocentesis needle and to know about the baby’s health conditions. The fluid is very important because it gives detailed information regarding a baby’s health and other problems early on. For those problems, there are some cardiotocography treatment and antenatal care treatment recommendations for pregnant women. One is used to check the heartbeat of the unborn baby, and the other is used to assess the overall health of both the mother and her unborn baby.
Why is it done?
Amniocentesis is done for many reasons:
- Genetic Abnormalities: The amniocentesis test is done to check the problem of genetic abnormalities, Down syndrome, and Patau syndrome.
- Genetic Disorder: It can also be used to detect genetic disorders like sickle cell anemia.
- Neural Tube Problem: This test can also detect problems in the brain and spinal cord of a baby.
- Fetal Infection: Amniocentesis can detect any infection in the fetus.
- Delivery of Medication: Amniocentesis is used to deliver medicine directly into the mother’s bomb.
- Polyhydramnios: This test is used to remove excessive fluid stored in the mother’s bomb.
Symptoms of Amniocentesis
Here are some symptoms of Amniocentesis:
- Mild Discomfort: After this test, women experience mild discomfort, which is a common symptom.
- Light Vaginal Bleeding: Some women face the problem of bleeding after this test.
- Amniotic Fluid Leakage from the Vagina: In some cases, amniotic fluid leaks from the vaginal opening because of an amniocentesis test.
- Abnormal Pain: Women’s face abnormal pain after the test, which can be dangerous, so you have to consult with your doctor.
- Fever: Fever after the test can be a sign of infection in the fetus, so it is important for you to consult with a doctor.
- Signs of Infection: This test can show the infection in the mother’s bomb. Taking corrective measures is very crucial at that time.
What is NIPT?
NIPT full form is Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing. It is a test used to detect the health and problems in the fetus. This test analyzes the fragment of DNA that is floating in the mother’s bloodstream, and these fragments are cell-free and floating freely and giving valuable insights into the fetus’s health. A pregnant woman can also go for hysteroscopy treatment and hysterosonography treatment because they can also give information regarding the mother’s womb and the fetus’s health.
Why is it done?
NIPT is done for some reason:
- Down Syndrome: This is a genetic disorder where each cell in the body has three copies. This test helps in identifying this type of syndrome.
- Trisomy 18: The NIPT test helps in the detection of trisomy 18 in the fetus.
- Patau Syndrome: It is a genetic disorder where the fetus has three copies of a chromosome instead of two. NIPT helps in detecting these syndromes early on.
- Monosomy X: NIPT helps in detecting Turner syndrome in the mother’s womb.
- Trisomy X: This can also be detectable with the NIPT test.
- Jacob’s Syndrome: It is also a genetic problem and is detected with the help of the NIPT test.
Symptoms of NIPT
NIPT does not have such a physical symptom because it is non-invasive and does not require any insertion process. But the results of NIPT can cause emotional stress and anxiety to pregnant women if the results show high chances of genetic abnormalities in the fetus. This technique is safe because doctors need a blood sample for testing for any abnormalities.
Amniocentesis vs NIPT: Comparison
| Amniocentesis | NIPT |
| Amniocentesis is an invasive technique. | NIPT is a non-invasive technique. |
| It is used to test the diagnosis of certain problems. | It is used to test the risk of certain chromosomal mutations. |
| This test is performed between 13 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. | This test is performed after 11 weeks of pregnancy. |
| Higher risk is involved in this test, such as miscarriage and infection. | Lower risk is involved in this test because it involves only taking a blood sample. |
| It is used after the NIPT test. | This test is performed at the start of the amniocentesis process. |
Amniocentesis vs NIPT: Accuracy
- Amniocentesis is a diagnostic test that is considered as gold standard, and it is less accurate than NIPT.
- The NIPT is a screening test that has more accuracy than amniocentesis.
Procedure of Amniocentesis Test vs NIPT
Look at the procedure for both:
Amniocentesis Procedure
- Preparation: In this stage patient is taken for an ultrasound so that the location of the fetus, placenta, and amniotic fluid can be detected correctly.
- Cleaning & Anesthesia: After preparation doctor cleans the area of insertion and gives a local anesthesia so that the patient does not feel pain during the test.
- Needle Insertion: Then the doctor inserts the needle in the located area to collect amniotic fluid without disturbing the fetus.
- Removal of Fluid: The process of removing or collecting amniotic fluid from the womb for testing takes place.
- Post-Procedure: In the post-procedure activity, doctors remove the inserted needle from the womb and check the fetus’s heartbeat again.
- Recovery: After the test is completed, the mother may face some discomfort, which can be solved in one to two days.
NIPT Procedure
- Blood Sample Collection: Here, the doctor or a healthcare professional draws a small amount of blood from the mother’s arm and sends that sample to a reputed laboratory for further testing.
- Laboratory Analysis: In the laboratory, the cell-free DNA is extracted from the sample. The cell-free DNA reflects the fetus’s DNA, and by using advanced medical techniques, they analyze the DNA for chromosomal abnormalities.
- Results: The results of the test are available within one to two weeks of the test. After the results are out, if the results show high risk, then doctors recommend diagnostic testing for clear results.
How much Time does the Procedure of Amniocentesis and NIPT take?
The time taken by Amniocentesis and NIPT is:
- The amniocentesis procedure typically takes around 20 to 30 minutes for a complete process. But if you are waiting for the results, then it can take several days or even weeks to get the results of the test.
- The NIPT procedure typically takes less time than amniocentesis, around 5 minutes or less, but to get complete results, you have to wait for 1 to 2 weeks.
Cost of Amniocentesis and NIPT in India
Amniocentesis cost in India:
- Cost: The cost of amniocentesis in India starts from 6,000 INR and goes up to 25,000 INR.
- Factors Influencing Cost: Type of hospital/lab facilities, location, doctor’s fees, and medication used in the process.
NIPT cost in India:
- Cost: The cost of NIPT(Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) in India ranges from 14,000 INR to 30,000 INR.
- Factors Influencing Cost: Hospital/lab facilities, location of the hospital/lab, and technology used.
What is the Best Time to Perform these Tests?
Best time to perform both tests:
- Amniocentesis Test: The best time to go for an amniocentesis test is between 13 to 18 weeks of pregnancy.
- NIPT: This test is performed after 10 weeks or during the 10th week of pregnancy.
Conclusion
Amniocentesis and NIPT are both different tests and have some advantages and disadvantages such as NIPT is more accurate than amniocentesis, but at the same time, amniocentesis is considered as gold standard test. One test can detect the diagnosis problem in the womb, were another test detects the genetic abnormalities in the womb. So we can conclude that both have some pros and cons within them, but if used with a doctor’s guidance, then they can be more effective.