Question about NT scan bloodwork

Reyka9 · July 2012

I had my NT scan today (baby looks great and was moving around tons, heart rate was 152 bpm) and when the doctor came in, she told me that they are offering a new blood test along with the scan.

She said the old one tested for Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and spina bifida and has a 94-95% accuracy rate, but has been the industry standard for the past decade. She says the new one tests the fetal DNA in the mother's bloodstream (?!) and has a 99.9% accuracy rate.

She said that so far, it's only available on the east and west coasts, and insurance companies have just started covering it as of yesterday.

I opted for the new test (although they drew 2 vials of blood and said that in case they aren't able to get enough fetal DNA from my blood, they can still perform the old test as a back-up). Has anyone else had this option presented to them? Just curious because I hadn't heard of it before.

Schrodinger · July 2012

If its so experimental, will your insurance cover it? I've never heard of this test for 1st tri screening. Google is telling me that fetal genomes from maternal blood have only been sequenced since June of this year.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120704182127.htm

jterpbride · July 2012

Yes, it's called MaterniT21. It's not experimental, it's just a fairly new test released to the market earlier this year. But it's been well tested and now has had I think more than tens of thousands of tests performed, and has something like 99.8% accuracy.

I had my NT scan last week and because of my abnormal measurement, I got this test. It takes up to 2 weeks for results so I'm still waiting. Most people say if they get a negative result, they don't opt for an amnio/further testing because it's pretty close to definite.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/study-in-prenatal-diagnosis-finds-sequenom-cmms-maternit21-plus-lab-developed-test-accurately-detects-fetal-trisomies-in-pregnant-women-carrying-twins-or-triplets-152006245.html

Reyka9 · July 2012

Schrodinger:
If its so experimental, will your insurance cover it? I've never heard of this test for 1st tri screening. Google is telling me that fetal genomes from maternal blood have only been sequenced since June of this year.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120704182127.htm

That's what I was raising my eyebrow at, too. But the doctor insisted that insurance covers it. Then she found out I had Aetna, lol, and she said "Aetna is the ONLY insurance that doesn't cover it, but the company (that performs the test) is covering it for Aetna patients."

WTF?!

The whole thing seems shady to me. That's why I was wondering if anyone else (particularly the east coast and west coast Bumpies) had this test offered, or if they have even heard of it.

Reyka9 · July 2012

jterpbride:
Yes, it's called MaterniT21. It's not experimental, it's just a fairly new test released to the market earlier this year. But it's been well tested and now has had I think more than tens of thousands of tests performed, and has something like 99.8% accuracy.
I had my NT scan last week and because of my abnormal measurement, I got this test. It takes up to 2 weeks for results so I'm still waiting. Most people say if they get a negative result, they don't opt for an amnio/further testing because it's pretty close to definite.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/study-in-prenatal-diagnosis-finds-sequenom-cmms-maternit21-plus-lab-developed-test-accurately-detects-fetal-trisomies-in-pregnant-women-carrying-twins-or-triplets-152006245.html

Thank you! I feel better now, ha ha!

Schrodinger · July 2012

jterpbride:
Yes, it's called MaterniT21. It's not experimental, it's just a fairly new test released to the market earlier this year.

Thanks for the name, I hadn't heard of this before. My OB only recommends further testing if you get elevated results from the standard blood screening.

I'm glad to see that they are developing better screening tests that are less invasive or risky than CVS/amnio.

AuntieKelsey07 · July 2012

I had it offered, but just for research purposes. I won't find out the results of it.

jterpbride · July 2012

Reyka9:
jterpbride:
Yes, it's called MaterniT21. It's not experimental, it's just a fairly new test released to the market earlier this year. But it's been well tested and now has had I think more than tens of thousands of tests performed, and has something like 99.8% accuracy.
I had my NT scan last week and because of my abnormal measurement, I got this test. It takes up to 2 weeks for results so I'm still waiting. Most people say if they get a negative result, they don't opt for an amnio/further testing because it's pretty close to definite.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/study-in-prenatal-diagnosis-finds-sequenom-cmms-maternit21-plus-lab-developed-test-accurately-detects-fetal-trisomies-in-pregnant-women-carrying-twins-or-triplets-152006245.html
Thank you! I feel better now, ha ha!

No problem! I'm betting in a few years this will be the norm, and people will start to opt for it and skip the NT scan.

Doing an NT scan first used to make most sense rather than jumping to invasive CVS or amnio, but now with a blood test there's no reason not to go right for the clearest results (except for possible costs, but I think this will be completely covered by insurance soon enough -- I had to pay $235 with my PPO covering the rest. This test costs something like $1,600 in full I think!)

Starfish+77 · July 2012

I asked specifically about this blood test since I'll be 35 at EDD but my OB said it would only be given if my sequential screening results were elevated. It kind of pissed me off since I have Aetna and would have liked the opportunity to have test, especially since its 99% accurate.

littlemaybaby · July 2012

Starfish+77:
I asked specifically about this blood test since I'll be 35 at EDD but my OB said it would only be given if my sequential screening results were elevated. It kind of pissed me off since I have Aetna and would have liked the opportunity to have test, especially since its 99% accurate.

This is what my MWs said too. That if anything came back abnormal with my NT scan that we could do this test before something more invasive like CVS.

I also have Aetna, but thankfully our NT scan results look great.

jterpbride · July 2012

Starfish+77:
I asked specifically about this blood test since I'll be 35 at EDD but my OB said it would only be given if my sequential screening results were elevated. It kind of pissed me off since I have Aetna and would have liked the opportunity to have test, especially since its 99% accurate.

That's annoying. I think I will have another baby in a few years, so I hope by then they let you skip right to this blood test! I don't want to deal with the stress of this scan ever again if I can help it...but I still want to know if there are any abnormalities in advance. We'll see.

lindsey913 · July 2012

jterpbride:
Reyka9:
jterpbride:

Yes, it's called MaterniT21. It's not experimental, it's just a fairly new test released to the market earlier this year. But it's been well tested and now has had I think more than tens of thousands of tests performed, and has something like 99.8% accuracy.

I had my NT scan last week and because of my abnormal measurement, I got this test. It takes up to 2 weeks for results so I'm still waiting. Most people say if they get a negative result, they don't opt for an amnio/further testing because it's pretty close to definite.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/study-in-prenatal-diagnosis-finds-sequenom-cmms-maternit21-plus-lab-developed-test-accurately-detects-fetal-trisomies-in-pregnant-women-carrying-twins-or-triplets-152006245.html

Thank you! I feel better now, ha ha!

No problem! I'm betting in a few years this will be the norm, and people will start to opt for it and skip the NT scan.

Doing an NT scan first used to make most sense rather than jumping to invasive CVS or amnio, but now with a blood test there's no reason not to go right for the clearest results (except for possible costs, but I think this will be completely covered by insurance soon enough -- I had to pay $235 with my PPO covering the rest. This test costs something like $1,600 in full I think!)

This is exactly what my u/s tech told me. She said they will phasing out the NT scan and switching to the blood test (more accurate results and less technique sensitive!). I'm not sure when they expect this to happen though.

littleheaven · July 2012

i have to go back tomorrow to get blood drawn...4 weeks after my NT scan...

when i went for my NT scan, they pricked my finger and put some blood on the paper, but then told me i had to come back....not sure what they're testing for, she didn't tell me....but she asked about all the genetic testing, but dh and i had the majority of that done at the fertility clinic...

btw reyka, i love the pic in your siggy! so cute!

Reyka9 · July 2012

littleheaven:
i have to go back tomorrow to get blood drawn...4 weeks after my NT scan...
when i went for my NT scan, they pricked my finger and put some blood on the paper, but then told me i had to come back....not sure what they're testing for, she didn't tell me....but she asked about all the genetic testing, but dh and i had the majority of that done at the fertility clinic...

btw reyka, i love the pic in your siggy! so cute!

Thank you That's how we announced the pregnancy to our parents, by giving them that photo of DS in a frame.

Only a finger prick for NT blood work?? I had 2 vials drawn this time and at least 1 vial drawn last time (2010, old test). Good luck tomorrow!

Chris&Lyzz · July 2012

At my NT scan they also took two vials of blood. I live in WI and go to Froedtert which is a huge medical college/research savvy place. I had to sign forms to be part of the new blood test/research that they are doing. She said that my one vial would get the normal test and the other would be the new test. In the forms I signed, it said that it would be of "no cost" to me or my insurance for the new test. I assume since its part of their research program, they are stomaching the costs for the tests to be run.

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