NIPT and Preeclampsia – Why should both be screened simultaneously?

NIPT and Preeclampsia – An Inseparable Relationship

Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity as well as mortality. According to official statistics and scientific reports, preeclampsia is responsible for 76,000 maternal deaths and 500,000 neonatal deaths annually worldwide, affecting 16.7% of pregnant women in developing countries*.

In Vietnam, recent studies on preeclampsia have focused on areas such as predicting the onset of the disease, forecasting its progression, predicting pregnancy outcomes and preventive treatment for pregnant women**.

NIPT and preeclampsia screening are both essential tests during pregnancy. Although they have different purposes, they are closely related. Performing both tests concurrently during pregnancy offers comprehensive benefits, optimizing the health monitoring process for both the mother and the baby.

• NIPT is a prenatal screening test designed to detect the risk of genetic syndromes caused by chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus.
• Preeclampsia screening is recommended by the Ministry of Health*** to detect early risks of dangerous pregnancy complications. This complication can lead to severe consequences such as intrauterine growth restriction, stillbirth, or even threaten the mother’s life.

NIPT and Preeclampsia – Why should both be screened simultaneously?

The simultaneous combination of NIPT and preeclampsia screening during prenatal care offers superior clinical value, helping to optimize risk management and improve the effectiveness of maternal and fetal healthcare.

• Multidimensional assessment – Comprehensive protection: NIPT helps detect early risks of fetal chromosomal abnormalities, while preeclampsia screening assesses the risk of dangerous pregnancy complications. Early detection of these potential issues enables doctors to implement timely monitoring and interventions, minimizing risks for both the mother and the baby.
• Early detection – Timely intervention: With just a single blood sample, both tests can be performed simultaneously, helping to detect up to 90% of early-onset preeclampsia cases and 99% of fetal chromosomal abnormalities, allowing for appropriate intervention solutions.
• Time-saving – Cost optimization: Performing both tests simultaneously saves time and costs for the pregnant woman while ensuring accurate results that provide significant value in screening assessment and diagnostic treatment.

Overall, the combination of NIPT and preeclampsia testing is an optimal tool for early screening of fetal abnormalities while still in the womb. Performing both tests simultaneously allows the mother, family, and doctors to monitor and treat potential issues that could affect the overall development of the pregnancy.

Source:

*Kayode O.O., et al. (2011). Journal of Pregnancy 481095

** Decision No. 1911/QĐ-BYT (2021)

*** Decision No. 1911/QĐ-BYT