The NIPT (Non Invasive Prenatal Test) tests the blood of the pregnant woman. The blood is drawn and tested. The laboratory tests the DNA in the blood for chromosomal abnormalities, allowing the determination of whether the child has Down syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome or Patau’s syndrome. The blood of the pregnant woman contains placenta DNA and DNA from the mother. The placenta DNA is almost always the same as the DNA of the child.
The NIPT can be performed from the 11th week of the pregnancy.

From 1 April, 2017, all pregnant women in the Netherlands can choose the NIPT, but only if they participate in a scientific study (TRIDENT-2). Why a study? Other countries already have more experience in the use of the NIPT. Their results have shown that the NIPT is a very reliable test. The minister now wants to investigate if the test is also successful in the Netherlands, and what women think about the NIPT. If you select the NIPT, you are giving researchers permission to use your data. You sign a consent form for this part of the test.

The website tells you more about the scientific study and what your data will be used for.

The laboratory can also detect other chromosomal abnormalities, besides Down syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome or Patau’s syndrome. These are detected in the foetus, in the placenta and, very rarely, in the pregnant woman herself. These are additional findings. You decide whether you want to be informed about additional findings. There are different types of additional findings, ranging from very serious to moderately serious. To determine the type of additional findings, an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling is usually required.

Approximately 4 out of 1000 pregnant women who have decided to take part in the NIPT will be informed about an additional finding. Go to for more information about the NIPT and additional findings.

If you select the NIPT, you can decide afterwards if you want to be informed about any additional findings. There are two options:

1. You only want to have your unborn child screened for Down syndrome, Edwards’s  syndrome and Patau’s syndrome. The laboratory will not know if there are any additional findings.


2. You want to have your child screened for Down syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome, and you want to know if the lab has detected any additional findings.

Would you like to have a NIPT? Click here

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