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Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS)

Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) also know as Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is a relatively new non-invasive blood test that measures the amount of cell-free fetal DNA circulating in maternal serum. NIPS accurately measures the quantity variance of fetal and maternal chromosomal material and provides a screen risk for Down syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18, and trisomy 13. The Down syndrome detection rate is >99% with a false positive rate of 0.1%. 

Use the tabs below for more information on Funded NIPS and Self-Pay NIPS.
Funded NIPS

Funded NIPS for Women at High Risk

Funded NIPS is offered only through Dynacare for women who meet one of the following criteria:

  1. has received a Positive Screen result from IPS, SIPS, or Quad; 
  2. has had a previous trisomy 13, 18, or 21 pregnancy; or
  3. has a risk of Down syndrome greater than one in 300 based on results of screening and ultrasound marker(s) of aneuploidy. 

For more information and instructions on how to order NIPS, please read:

Note: The patient does not need an appointment, but the requisition must be completed fully, including the authorization code, and must be signed by the ordering health care provider AND SIGNED by the PATIENT to avoid delays in results. 

Health Care Provider Counselling Tool: 

Comparison of NIPS and Amniocentesis 

Collection Sites

Funded NIPS collection sites per health authority are listed below.  Check the list often as additional locations become available.

Sites vary in NIPS collection days. Please call them directly to confirm what days/times they are open for collecting blood for NIPS.









Self-Pay NIPS

Self-Pay NIPS

Women who do not meet criteria for funded NIPS but who are interested in NIPS have the option of self-pay NIPS. The cost to the patient varies depending on the NIPS test vendor that is used.

Health care providers should counsel patients that national and international societies recommend against screening for microdeletions due to poor sensitivity and low predictive value.

Learn more about self-pay NIPS and options in BC.



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SOURCE: Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPS) ( )
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