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Antenatal Fetal Evaluation SAFE Test
St George’s Antenatal Fetal Evaluation – Non invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
Why have the SAFE test? As part of the national screening pathway women are offered the ‘combined test’ in the first trimester of pregnancy. This evaluates hormonal blood levels with ultrasound findings to assess the chance of chromosomal or structural anomalies. Although the range of conditions that can be detected by this method is broader than the number of conditions identified by the SAFE test, the SAFE test has a higher detection rate for Down’s, Patau’s and Edward’s syndrome.
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is a blood test taken from the mother in pregnancy, that uses cutting edge DNA technology to evaluate whether a baby has a high chance of a certain chromosomal condition.
The St George’s Antenatal Fetal Evaluation (SAFE) test is a NIPT test is a screening test for Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes only, in line with UK National Screening Committee (UKNSC) recommendations. The test is performed by taking a small sample of the mother’s blood. which is then sent to the NHS laboratory at St George’s Hospital for assessment. The results are typically available within 7 calendar days from sample receipt.
Find out more at St Georges Hospital Site or Contact us to discuss the details further or to book your test.
Although the range of conditions detected by the traditional “combined” test is broader, the SAFE test has a higher detection rate for Down’s, Patau’s and Edward’s syndrome.
The test is performed by taking a small sample of the mother’s blood here at the Clarendon Clinic which is then sent to the NHS lab at St George’s Hospital for assessment. Results are typically available within 7 days
The test is suitable from 10 weeks of pregnancy for all single and identical twins pregnancies, including IVF, egg donor or surrogate pregnancies. For non-identical and vanishing twin, test sensitivity is reduced.