Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test (NIPP): How It Works & When You Can Take It

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Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test (NIPP): How It Works & When You Can Take It

Biological paternity may be identified by a non-invasive prenatal paternity test (NIPP) using a sample not taken directly from the fetus, but taken from the mother during her pregnancy. The test involves comparing cell-free fetal DNA paternity test which circulates in a mother’s blood, with the DNA of the alleged father. NIPP is unlike invasive procedures, which involve accessing the pregnancy, as it only involves a mother’s blood sample and a cheek swab from the alleged father. This educational guide helps explain the process of prenatal paternity testing, when it can be performed and what expectant parents can expect during the collection of the samples.

What is a non-invasive prenatal paternity test and how does NIPP work?

Non-invasive prenatal paternity test is a DNA test that can assess the biological parentage prior to birth. In a prenatal paternity test while pregnant, there are also small pieces of fetal DNA in the mother’s blood. The fragments can be removed from the mother’s blood and tested in a laboratory. The man in question gives a DNA sample (typically taken from the cheek) The laboratory will determine whether the genetic profile matches with the alleged father’s by comparing the fetal DNA genetic markers with the father’s DNA. Unlike CVS or amniocentesis, NIPP does not require an invasive procedure on the fetus, and is based on a blood sample from the mother.

How does fetal DNA in mother’s bloodstream contribute to a NIPP test?

In the mother’s blood, DNA fragments of the placenta can be found during pregnancy. The fragments are included in the genetic analysis for a cell-free fetal DNA paternity test. The overall process consists of:

• Blood collection: Blood is drawn from the pregnant woman.
• Separation of DNA: In the lab, the fetal DNA is separated from the maternal blood sample.
• Genetic analysis: Kits containing markers which are selected for analysis.
• Father’s comparison sample: DNA sample taken from the alleged father.
• Profile comparison: DNA from the baby and the man claiming to be the father are compared.
• Paternity evaluation: The results are used to interpret and decide if the genetic evidence is consistent with the person being the biological father.

This method can help determine the paternity without taking a fetal sample via an invasive procedure.

When can you do a non-invasive prenatal paternity test?

The earliest testing time is subject to the laboratory procedure of the provider.. The question is when to do a NIPP test how early in pregnancy?

Testing at the recommended gestational age is important because the quantity of fetal DNA present in the maternal blood may influence the ability of a laboratory to get a usable result. For fetal DNA, too-early tests, and low fetal DNA amounts, may need to be repeated, Choice DNA notes. Thus, individuals who are thinking about an NIPP test should ask the provider at what point in the pregnancy would you recommend that the test be done before arranging for it to be collected?

How are the mother’s blood sample and alleged father’s DNA sample collected?

Overall, there are two types of samples collected for NIPP.

• Mother’s blood sample: The blood is taken from the pregnant mother’s arm by a trained healthcare worker or collection worker in the usual way.
• Sample identification: A mother’s sample is identified in accordance with the laboratory’s sampling needs.
• Alleged father’s cheek swab: The alleged father carefully brushes a sterile buccal swab on the inside of his cheek to obtain cells with DNA.
• Sample preparation: Cheek swab is inserted in the proper sample collection container.
• Laboratory submission: Both samples are submitted to the laboratory to be analyzed for genetic make-up.
• Laboratory DNA comparison: The fetal DNA is compared to the DNA of the alleged father.

At facilities like Choice DNA, the NIPP collection is a maternal blood sample and alleged father’s cheek swab.

Is the NIPP a safe paternity test during pregnancy?

NIPP does not involve a needle puncture of the uterus, and can be taken from the mother’s blood. So, it doesn’t require the kind of invasive testing that is performed on the mother like amniocentesis or CVS. This is the reason for NIPP being a possibility for a person seeking a prenatal paternity test without fetal invasive procedure. If a patient has medical concerns about her pregnancy, however, she should discuss prenatal testing with her health care provider.

The testing provider should describe how the test is to be collected, what limitations exist, the gestational age requirement and whether the test is being conducted for personal or legal purposes prior to the collection of the sample.

Conclusion

A non-invasive prenatal paternity test involves taking a blood sample from the pregnant woman and a cheek swab from the alleged father to determine biological paternity prior to birth. NIPP may be provided from around 7 weeks, depending on the provider’s requirements. It is not a procedure that requires direct sampling of the pregnancy, unlike invasive procedures. There are a variety of different testing options available with different providers, including Face DNA Test and Choice DNA, which include facilities like CAP-accredited labs. Knowing how and what it entails can help parents to select an appropriate prenatal DNA testing service.