What is Maternity 21?
Maternity 21 is a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) that screens for certain chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18, trisomy 13, and sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs, abnormal numbers of X or Y chromosomes). It is a blood test that can be performed as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Maternity 21 works by analyzing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from the placenta. cfDNA is small fragments of DNA that are released into the bloodstream during pregnancy. Some of this cfDNA comes from the fetus, and the rest comes from the mother.
How does the Maternity 21 test work?
Maternity 21 uses a technique called massively parallel sequencing (MPS) to analyze the cfDNA. MPS is a DNA sequencing technology that can sequence millions of DNA fragments at once. This allows Maternity 21 to look for small changes in the DNA that could indicate a chromosomal abnormality.
Is the Maternity 21 test accurate?
Maternity 21 is a very accurate test. It has a detection rate of over 99% for Down syndrome and trisomy 18, and over 97% for trisomy 13. It is also very specific, meaning that it is unlikely to give a false-positive result.
Is the Maternity 21 test safe for me and my baby?
Maternity 21 is a safe test for both the mother and the fetus. It is a non-invasive test, so there is no risk of miscarriage or other complications.
Who should get Maternity 21?
Maternity 21 is an option for all pregnant women. However, it is especially recommended for women who:
- Are over the age of 35
- Have a family history of chromosomal abnormalities
- Have had a previous pregnancy with a chromosomal abnormality
- Are carrying twins or multiples
If you are considering Maternity 21, talk to your doctor to see if it is right for you.
Benefits of Maternity 21
- Maternity 21 offers a few benefits over other prenatal tests, such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS):
- It is non-invasive, so there is no risk of miscarriage or other complications.
- It is very accurate and specific.
- It can be performed as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy.
- It can be used to screen for multiple chromosomal abnormalities.
Risks of Maternity 21
Maternity 21 is a very safe test, but there are a few risks to be aware of:
- False-positive results: Maternity 21 can give a false-positive result, meaning that it indicates a chromosomal abnormality when there is actually no abnormality.
- False-negative results: Maternity 21 can also give a false-negative result, meaning that it does not indicate a chromosomal abnormality when there is actually an abnormality.
If you have a positive result on Maternity 21, your doctor will recommend further testing, such as amniocentesis or CVS, to confirm the diagnosis.
If you have any questions or concerns about Maternity 21, please talk to your doctor.