Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT): An Introduction for Healthcare Professionals

Learn about the history, limitations, and ethical considerations of NIPT

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is a timely issue in the UK. Already available within the private healthcare system, this maternal blood test is set to be offered by England’s National Health Service this year (NHS)

On this course, healthcare professionals will be introduced to the development, technology, along with ethical and legal considerations of NIPT. You will consider how and when to discuss NIPT with patients and the importance of patient choice. You will reflect on current NIPT practices, your personal experiences in the healthcare system, and improvements for the future.

This course is for midwives, sonographers, and obstetricians. It is also ideal for GPs and genetic counsellors. Although the course will assume knowledge of healthcare at some point, the course might also be of interest to people considering NIPT.

Healthcare professionals might find the the Certificate of Achievement for this course useful for providing evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), or commitment to their career. You will need to upgrade on this course to receive a Certificate of Achievement when you are eligible.

This course is for midwives, sonographers, and obstetricians. It is also ideal for GPs and genetic counsellors. Although the course will assume knowledge of healthcare at some point, the course might also be of interest to people considering NIPT.

Healthcare professionals might find the the Certificate of Achievement for this course useful for providing evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), or commitment to their career. You will need to upgrade on this course to receive a Certificate of Achievement when you are eligible.

• Describe cell division and how it can lead to Patau’s, Edwards’ and Down’s syndrome
• Apply basic genetic knowledge to understand NIPT screening in pregnancy
• Describe the different technologies currently available for NIPT
• Describe how an NIPT trisomy risk is calculated
• Demonstrate an understanding of the current NHS screening pathways in the UK
• Discuss the limitations of NIPT testing, and where NIPT may not be an appropriate screening choice
• Explain the potential causes of a false positive, false negative and a no-call result
• Discuss importance of informed choice, and what can influence decision making
• Explore the challenges of language, terminology and communication in the healthcare setting
• Debate the social and ethical implications that are presented by availability of NIPT
• Reflect on the potential risks and benefits of future developments for NIPT