VERACITY Advanced — a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT)

When a little one is growing inside a mother’s womb, parents want to know that the baby is developing normally. VERACITY Advanced is a new-generation, non-invasive prenatal test that helps provide important information from a sample of the expectant mother’s blood.

It offers greater sensitivity and accuracy than traditional screening methods; it can be carried out from as early as the 9th week of pregnancy and is completely safe for both mother and baby.

What is the VERACITY Advanced prenatal test? 

The VERACITY Advanced test is an innovative and state-of-the-art (non-invasive) prenatal screening test. It involves the analysis of cffDNA, i.e. the testing of cell-free foetal DNA present in the expectant mother’s blood. During pregnancy, some foetal cells undergo physiological breakdown, and the DNA fragments released in this way pass through the placenta into the mother’s bloodstream. The NIPT test isolates DNA fragments from the pregnant woman’s blood, which are then subjected to computer analysis based on next-generation sequencing (NGS). Thanks to this complex and highly advanced technique, it is possible to assess the foetus’s health, stage of development, and even determine its sex. It is possible to detect selected trisomies, aneuploidies and microdeletions, as well as monogenic disorders. Before NIPT tests appeared on the market, similar results could only be obtained through invasive tests, which carry a small risk of miscarriage. 

Non-invasive prenatal testing, such as VERACITY Advanced, is recommended by the Polish Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians (PTGiP). 

Why is VERACITY prenatal testing worth doing? 

• It is a non-invasive, quick and safe test. 

• Unlike traditional amniocentesis, where a sample is required from the fetal waters, there is no risk of miscarriage. 

• A NIPT test can be performed very early in pregnancy, as early as nine weeks, even before the first prenatal test performed during pregnancy. 

• The non-invasive VERACITY Advanced test is characterised by very high sensitivity compared to other tests of this type available on the market. For example: its sensitivity in detecting Down’s syndrome is over 99%, whilst traditional prenatal screening tests have a sensitivity of 95%. 

VERACITY Advanced is a third-generation test. It is currently the most accurate screening test available on the market. 

Who is the VERACITY Advanced test aimed at? 

The VERACITY Advanced test is a modern, safe antenatal screening test that allows you to check whether your pregnancy is progressing normally and whether your baby is healthy. The test is recommended for all women who would like to gain reliable information about their baby’s health. This means that the period of pregnancy, which is unique to every woman, can be effectively free from unnecessary stress and anxiety. The test can be carried out from as early as the 9th week of pregnancy. 

The VERACITY test is particularly recommended if:

• you are over 35 years old, 

• the child was diagnosed with a genetic defect in a previous pregnancy,

• your family has a history of genetic diseases associated with abnormal numbers or structures of chromosomes,

• The results of screening tests, such as ultrasound or the PAPP-A test, are a cause for concern.

The test can be performed in both single and twin pregnancies. If you are expecting twins, you will receive separate results for each baby.

How does the VERACITY Advanced study work? 

The VERACITY Advanced test is quick, simple and completely safe for mum and baby. It involves taking a standard blood sample from a pregnant woman - just like a routine laboratory test. 

The sample collected is sent to a specialised laboratory, where the extracellular fetal DNA present in the mother's blood is isolated. Advanced genetic analysis makes it possible to assess with a high degree of accuracy whether chromosomal abnormalities are present. 

The results of the examination are communicated to the doctor, who discusses them with the patient and provides detailed information on further management. This allows the mother-to-be to approach the next stages of her pregnancy in an informed and relaxed manner. 

How should I prepare for the VERACITY Advanced scan? 

The VERACITY Advanced test is extremely simple and requires no special preparation. The test can be performed as early as 9 weeks of pregnancy. You do not need to be fasting, you do not need to modify your dosage or stop taking medication. You can come to the collection centre at any arranged time. 

What genetic defects can the VERACITY Advanced test detect? 

VERACITY Advanced enables the detection of the most common genetic disorders as early as the first trimester of pregnancy. The test is carried out using the most comprehensive scope available, which means it includes a full analysis of key chromosomal abnormalities.

VERACITY Advanced assesses the risk of: 

• the most common trisomies: Down’s syndrome (21), Edwards’ syndrome (18) and Patau’s syndrome (13). 
• sex chromosome disorders causing Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, Jacobs syndrome, among others, 
• microdeletions causing, for example, DiGeorge syndrome (22q11.2), Smith–Magenis syndrome (17p11.2) and Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome (4p16.3).  

In addition, the VERACITY Advanced test makes it possible to determine the sex of the baby at the patient's request. 

The VERACITY Advanced test is one of the most advanced prenatal screening tests available on the market. The test is based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology, which allows extremely accurate detection of even very subtle changes in fetal DNA. The process requires the use of specialised, high-precision equipment and advanced bioinformatics software to analyse vast amounts of genetic data. 

A free consultation with a clinical geneticist and a psychologist 

If the test indicates an increased risk, we provide a free consultation with a clinical geneticist and a psychologist so that you can discuss the result at your leisure, plan the next steps and receive support. Your doctor is likely to recommend further diagnostic tests (e.g. an invasive test).

Frequently asked questions