At Hiro Clinic, we offer a service to ensure the health and peace of mind of all expectant mothers: Once the fetal heartbeat is confirmed through ultrasound examination, early NIPT testing becomes available.
This service is provided through thorough clinical examinations by Hiro Clinic and genetic testing facilities!
Hiro Clinic’s recommended plan to cover the severity of the disease
Genetic disorders are conditions caused by mutations in genes. Specifically, autosomal recessive genetic disorders occur when an individual inherits the same recessive gene from both parents. Approximately 70% of people worldwide are carriers of some form of recessive genetic disorder, making it crucial to understand the prevalence and impact of these disorders.
At our clinic, we provide detailed statistical data to understand the spread and impact of these disorders. The distribution map below visually represents the prevalence of specific genetic disorders.
What is Early NIPT?
Until now, Hiro Clinic has conducted NIPT testing after 10 weeks, when there are worldwide publications and the validity of the test is guaranteed. This time, we randomly conducted the test on pregnant women whose pregnancies were detected at less than 10 weeks at the Tokyo Sanitary Laboratory, which conducts the test at our clinic, without checking the number of weeks, and we were able to obtain test results in all pregnant women.
NIPT testing has been recommended after 10 weeks, when a sufficient amount of foetal fraction (FF) in maternal blood is considered to be detected. The latest clinical experiment at the Tokyo Sanitary Laboratory has proved that a sufficient amount of foetal fraction (FF) can be detected in maternal blood even at less than 10 weeks.
Early NIPT is performed in pregnant women under 10 weeks, and is not restricted to the number of weeks of gestation. However, to ensure the accuracy of the test, testing after 10 weeks is strongly recommended.
A second examination after 10 weeks of pregnancy is available at no extra cost.
※Tests taken at less than 10 weeks are expected to have lower sensitivity and specificity than those taken at 10 weeks or later.
※If the Early NIPT test is positive at less than 10 weeks, there is no positive target rate or positive score reported.
Early NIPT is available for all plans except the Premium Plan FM+ and GM+.
Inspection process
Tested at less than 10 weeks (1st test)
↓
Notification of result
↓
Second test appointment (please book 2 weeks after the first examination and after 10 weeks).
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Notification of result
Amniotic fluid testing support (covered and not covered)
Amniotic fluid testing support is also applicable for Early NIPT (additional JPY 3,300 (incl. tax)).
Less than 10 weeks test・・・Positive
Test after 10 weeks・・・Positive
→
Target
Less than 10 weeks test・・・Negative
Test after 10 weeks・・・Positive
→
Target
Less than 10 weeks test・・・Positive
Test after 10 weeks・・・Negative
→
Target
※ Other than the above, amniotic fluid testing support is not covered.
Frequently asked questions about Early NIPT
A:The NIPT test can be performed once the foetus’ heartbeat is confirmed by echo. In such cases, it is recommended that the second test is performed after 10 weeks.
A: Any plan can be used, except Premium Plan FM+ and GM+.
A:You can take the test at your own risk.
A:Under 10 weeks, if any of the two subsequent tests are positive, the patient is eligible for amniocentesis support, even if the first test is positive and the patient does not take the second amniocentesis test.
A:Once the results of the first test are available, the same My Page can be used to book the appointment.