Prenatal Cell-Free DNA Screening

Explanation

Prenatal cell-free DNA screening is a blood test that estimates the chance of selected chromosome conditions in a pregnancy.

What does the screening examine?

A chromosome is a package of DNA in a cell. Trisomy means that there are three copies of a particular chromosome instead of the usual two. The pregnant person’s blood contains their own DNA and small DNA fragments released by the placenta. The test uses these fragments to estimate the chance of selected chromosome conditions, commonly trisomy 21, 18, and 13. It does not directly sample the baby.

How should the result be understood?

The result may be reported as higher chance, lower chance, or no result. A higher-chance result is not a confirmed diagnosis and may be followed by diagnostic testing. A lower-chance result does not exclude every condition, and a no-result outcome is not the same as a negative result.

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