Most instances of mosaicism detected in CVS are not associated with a fetal abnormality and should be evaluated by further prenatal testing, i.e., amniocentesis or fetal blood sampling. The false positive in this case resulted from mosaicism, where the cells of the placenta showed abnormalities that the baby’s cells did not. According to reporting by the Irish Times, the test is “99% accurate,” and “in 0.15 per cent of cases, a false positive can occur.” Some may be shocked that a healthy baby could be aborted “by mistake.” A 0.15 percent false positive rate? That’s tiny, right? How could they have known?

Both of these procedures carry around a one in 100 risk of causing a miscarriage.As Live Action reported, the mother underwent chorionic villus sampling (CVS), in which cells from the placenta are sampled to screen for chromosomal abnormalities. This reduction in the false positive rate reduces the number of women being offered invasive testing, using chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis. The Harmony test has a false positive rate of 0.1%. What are the other screening tests available and why is the Harmony test better?Ĭurrent screening tests(Nuchal Translucency scan)have a false positive rate (that is, the results suggest a problem when the baby is in fact healthy) of around 4%. For this reason, a procedure such as an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) may be recommended following a high probability Harmony result. What if I have a high probability test result?Ī high probability result does not mean your baby definitely has a chromosomal abnormality although it is highly likely. If the test result shows a high probability result, then the probability that your baby has a chromosomal abnormality is greater than 99%. If the test result shows a low probability result for a chromosomal abnormality, then your baby will have a probability of less than 1 in 10,000. The Harmony test is now one of the most accurate and non-invasive tests available to predict the chance of your baby having a chromosomal abnormality. In the event of a high probability result, we will provide you with a referral letter to a Fetal Medicine Unit in an EPAU in order to discuss your next steps. If it reports low probability, no further follow up required. The results will come back as 0.01% probability which is your low chance result or 99.9% which is your increased probability result. Once you receive the email/results you can always contact us if there is anything you need to discuss. You will be contacted by a member of our team who will explain the test results to you. Your results will be reported to you within 8 working days of your appointment. You may require an ultrasound scan to confirm gestational age, if you have not already had an early pregnancy scan completed.

You will then be asked to complete a consent form. You can have the Harmony Test performed from 10 weeks gestation on How Is The Test Performed & How Long Will It Take To Get The Results?īefore the blood test is taken, the sonographer will discuss the test with you to answer any questions you may have. When can I have the Harmony Test performed 80% of babies with Patau’s syndrome (Trisomy 13).98% of babies with Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18).99% of babies with Down’s syndrome (Trisomy 21).cfDNA is the result of the natural breakdown of fetal cells and can be found in the mother’s blood. It is a simple blood test taken from the mother which is then analysed for cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from the fetus. The harmony test is a non-invasive prenatal screening test (NIPT) which can be performed from 10 weeks gestation*. Go to form What is the Harmony Test (NIPT) ?

10 week harmony test