NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing / Teste Pré-natal Não Invasivo) is a modern screening blood test for pregnant women: fragments of fetal DNA (cell-free fetal DNA) are analyzed from a maternal blood sample. The purpose of the test is to assess the risk of certain common chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.

At UMC, you can undergo NIPT in a comfortable clinical setting and receive clear, medically sound interpretation of the results. We help you choose the most appropriate test option, ensure proper documentation, and support you at every stage.

From which week NIPT can be performed

Most NIPT tests can be performed from the 10th week of pregnancy. In some cases, the laboratory may recommend waiting until weeks 11–12 in order to increase the fetal DNA fraction and reduce the likelihood of a non-informative result.

What NIPT screens for

The most commonly used panels include screening for trisomies: 21, 18, and 13 (Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome). Extended panels may additionally assess:

• Fetal sex (if desired, the referral may specify that fetal sex should not be reported — the price remains unchanged).
• Monosomy X (Turner syndrome).
• Sex chromosome aneuploidies (for example, Klinefelter syndrome and others).
• Microdeletions / microduplications (depending on the selected test and panel).

Limitations and important considerations

• NIPT is a screening test. It estimates risk but does not establish a diagnosis. A “high-risk” result must be confirmed by invasive diagnostic procedures (such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling), at the physician’s discretion.
• Multiple pregnancy. NIPT is possible, but accuracy and interpretation depend on the type of twin pregnancy. In general, results for monozygotic twins may be comparable to singleton pregnancies, while for dizygotic twins they may be less precise and more complex to interpret, as fetal DNA originates from two placentas simultaneously. Many protocols have limitations for pregnancies with more than two fetuses.

Which NIPT tests are available at UMC:

Harmony and Serene. Both tests are performed using maternal blood and are classified as non-invasive prenatal screening tests.

Book NIPT in Lisbon

Planning to have NIPT in Lisbon and go through this stage with confidence and peace of mind? Contact us or submit a request — the UMC team will help determine the most suitable test based on gestational age and clinical needs, confirm kit availability, and arrange blood collection at a convenient time.