How does non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) work?
NIPD utilises cell free fetal DNA (ffDNA). DNA is the genetic material that is in all the cells in our body. The pattern of DNA makes up the genes that code for our characteristics, such as hair and eye colour, and any genetic conditions we may have or carry. ffDNA is genetic material which comes from the baby but can be detected in the mother’s blood during pregnancy. The exact mechanism as to how the baby’s DNA – the ffDNA – finds its way into the mother’s bloodstream is not clear.
