title: The impact of noninvasive prenatal testing on the practice of maternal-fetal medicine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) via cell-free fetal DNA in the maternal circulation is a highly sensitive and specific new testing option. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of NIPT on the uptake of first trimester screening (FTS) and invasive genetic testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Uptake of prenatal testing was investigated in women referred for advanced maternal age or abnormal screening to the University of Texas Health Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinics in Houston. Patients who presented from August to November 2011, before clinical introduction of NIPT, were compared with patients who presented from March to June 2012, after its introduction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In patients referred between 14 and 22 weeks gestational age, invasive genetic testing was significantly reduced following the introduction of NIPT (35.4 vs. 17.9%, p < 0.05). For patients referred at < 14 weeks gestational age, FTS was significantly reduced with NIPT introduction (89.1 vs. 59.1%, p < 0.05); however, invasive genetic testing was not significantly different (20.0 vs. 14.0%, p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NIPT has made an impact on the practice of maternal-fetal medicine by significantly decreasing the number of second trimester diagnostic tests performed. In addition, patients interested in early screening information appear to prefer the higher sensitivity and specificity of NIPT.
authors: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas.
authors: Lara A
authors: LA
authors: Friel
authors: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas.
authors: Jennifer L
authors: JL
authors: Czerwinski
authors: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences and Pediatrics, The University of Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas.
authors: Claire N
authors: CN
authors: Singletary
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000782:Aneuploidy; D015193:Chorionic Villi Sampling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D025063:Chromosome Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D008875:Middle Aged; D057240:Patient Preference; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004247:DNA