NIPT- Harmony Test
What is the Harmony Test (NIPT) ?
The Harmony® Test is a non-invasive prenatal screening test (NIPT) which can be performed from 10 weeks gestation*.
It is a simple blood test taken from the mother which is then analysed for cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from the fetus. cfDNA is the result of the natural breakdown of fetal cells and can be found in the mother’s blood. cfDNA can be tested to identify:
- 99% of babies with Down’s syndrome (Trisomy 21)
- 98% of babies with Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18)
- 80% of babies with Patau’s syndrome (Trisomy 13)
- 70% of babies with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DiGeorge syndrome) – optional screening available*
When can I have the Harmony Test performed?
You can have the Harmony® Test from 10 weeks of gestation onwards with a simple blood draw.
What if I’m not sure how many weeks pregnant I am?
If you’re unsure of your gestational age, we recommend booking the NIPT with Early Scan so we can confirm it with a scan before performing your NIPT (Harmony® Test). If the sonographer finds that you’re not yet 10 weeks, that’s no problem, you can return at a later date for the blood test portion of the NIPT.
How Is The Test Performed?
Before your blood sample is taken, a sonographer will explain the test and answer any questions. You will be asked to sign a consent form. If you have not had an early pregnancy scan, an ultrasound may be performed to confirm your gestational age.
How Long Will It Take To Get The Results?
Results are usually available within 8 working days of your appointment. A member of our team will contact you to explain your results, and you will also receive them by email. If you have any questions after receiving your results, you can always contact us.
How do I interpret the results?
Your results will indicate either:
• Low probability – e.g., 0.01% chance. Baby’s chance of having a chromosomal abnormality is less than 1 in 10,000. No further follow-up is needed.
• High probability – e.g., 99.9% chance. Baby’s chance of having a chromosomal abnormality is greater than 99%. Further diagnostic testing will be recommended.
If a high probability result is reported, we will provide a referral letter to a Fetal Medicine Unit in an Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit (EPAU) to discuss your next steps.
Why Choose the Harmony Test (NIPT)?
The Harmony® Test is one of the most accurate and non-invasive prenatal screening options available.
Compared with standard screening (such as the Nuchal Translucency scan), which has a false-positive rate of ~4%, the Harmony® Test has a false-positive rate of just 0.1%.
This greatly reduces unnecessary invasive testing, such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis, which carry about a 1 in 100 risk of miscarriage.
What if I have a high probability test result?
A high probability result does not mean your baby definitely has a chromosomal abnormality, but it does indicate a high likelihood. In such cases, we may recommend diagnostic testing such as Amniocentesis or Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS).
What are the other screening tests available and why is the Harmony test better?
Current screening tests, such as the Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan, have a false-positive rate of around 4% (meaning the results suggest a problem when the baby is actually healthy). The Harmony® Test has a false-positive rate of just 0.1%.
This significant reduction in false positives greatly decreases the number of women being offered unnecessary invasive procedures, such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis, both of which carry approximately a 1 in 100 risk of miscarriage.
I’m expecting twins. Can I take the Harmony Test (NIPT)?
Yes. Harmony prenatal test can be used in twin pregnancies for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 and to evaluate the sexes of the babies. Sex chromosome aneuploidy and 22q11.2 microdeletion cannot be tested for in twin pregnancies.
What is the cost of the Harmony Test (NIPT)?
- Harmony® Test: €500
- Harmony® Test Plus: €600 – includes additional screening for DiGeorge syndrome (22q11.2 deletion syndrome)
- Harmony® Test with Early Scan / “Just a Look” Scan: €600
How Do I book?
If you’d like to book your Harmony® Test, please use our online booking system for your preferred clinic:
If you would like to learn more about the Harmony® Test, please read: The Harmony Patient Brochure
