NICC Test: What Is Non-Invasive Chromosome Screening During Pregnancy?

Pregnancy comes with many questions, especially when it comes to your baby’s health. One prenatal screening option you may hear about is the NICC test, also known as Non-Invasive Chromosome Check 

But what exactly does the NICC test check? When can you do it? And does a high-risk result mean your baby definitely has a chromosome condition?

Let’s take a closer look.

 

What Is a NICC Test?

NICC (Non-Invasive Chromosome Check) is a prenatal screening test that uses a blood sample from the mother to assess the risk of selected chromosomal conditions in the developing baby.

During pregnancy, small fragments of fetal DNA can be found in the mother’s bloodstream. NICC/NIPT analyses this DNA to screen for certain chromosome abnormalities.

Because it only requires a maternal blood sample, NICC is non-invasive and does not require a needle to be inserted into the uterus.

 

What Does NICC Screen For?

The conditions included depend on the specific NICC package or laboratory panel.

Common NICC screening may include:

• Down syndrome (Trisomy 21)
• Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18)
• Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13)
• Selected sex chromosome abnormalities
• Other chromosome conditions, depending on the test package

Some extended panels may also include additional chromosome abnormalities or microdeletion conditions. However, a wider panel does not mean that every possible genetic or developmental condition can be detected.

 

When Can You Do a NICC Test?

NICC/NIPT can generally be performed from around 10 weeks of pregnancy onwards, depending on the test and your doctor's assessment.

Your doctor may consider factors such as:

• Gestational age
• Singleton or multiple pregnancy
• Previous pregnancy screening results
• Medical and pregnancy history
• Other antenatal tests

It is important to discuss which test panel is appropriate for your pregnancy before proceeding.

 

Is NICC Safe for the Baby?

NICC is considered non-invasive because it only requires a blood sample from the mother.

Unlike invasive diagnostic procedures such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS), NICC does not involve inserting a needle into the uterus.

However, NICC is a screening test, not a diagnostic test.

 

What Does a High-Risk NICC Result Mean?

A high-risk result does not mean that your baby definitely has the condition.

NICC estimates the likelihood of selected chromosome conditions. If the result indicates a high risk, your doctor may recommend further assessment, genetic counselling and, where appropriate, a diagnostic test such as amniocentesis or CVS to confirm the result.

This distinction is important when interpreting your NICC report.

 

What If My NICC Result Is Low Risk?

A low-risk result means the screening found a lower likelihood of the chromosome conditions included in the test.

However, it does not guarantee that the baby is completely free from all genetic conditions, birth defects or developmental problems.

Routine antenatal care and ultrasound examinations are still important throughout pregnancy.

 

Is NICC the Same as an Ultrasound?

No. NICC and ultrasound provide different types of information.

NICC uses a maternal blood sample to screen for selected chromosome abnormalities, while ultrasound can assess the baby's growth, anatomy and certain physical features.

They can complement each other as part of prenatal care, depending on your pregnancy and your doctor's recommendations.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About NICC

Does NICC require fasting?

Generally, a maternal blood sample is required and fasting is usually not necessary, but preparation requirements may vary according to the clinic or other tests being performed.

Can NICC determine the baby's gender?

Some NICC/NIPT packages provide fetal sex information. Whether this is included depends on the specific test package and local clinical practice.

What happens if the result is high risk?

A high-risk result should be discussed with your doctor. Further assessment or diagnostic testing may be recommended because NICC is a screening test and does not confirm a diagnosis.

 

Understanding Your NICC Test

NICC can provide useful information about the likelihood of selected chromosome conditions during pregnancy, but it is not a complete genetic or health assessment of the baby.

If you are considering a NICC test, speak with your doctor about the appropriate timing, test coverage, limitations and what different results may mean.

At Prinz Klinik, our antenatal and women's health services can help expectant mothers understand their prenatal screening options and plan appropriate pregnancy care.