The Illumina Veriseq Blood test in Belfast
**Please note, this blood test has been introduced to replace the Harmony Blood test from September 2023
We offer this test in order to give women a chance to feel more confident about their pregnancy, the health of their growing foetus, and to allow them to prepare for the birth of their child.
The Illumina VeriSeq NIPT test
This test offers analysis for the same conditions as the Harmony NIPT including foetal sex & sex chromosome aneuploidies. There are also additional benefits from the Harmony test:
Only one blood tube is required
There is a lower failure rate - less than 2%
Faster time to results
Price £400
*This is a Blood test ONLY - we do NOT provide an ultrasound scan at Vitalis Health
When can I take the Illumina VeriSeq (Harmony) blood test
The Illumina VeriSeq (Harmony) blood test can be taken after 10 weeks gestation in singleton, twin, and egg-donor pregnancies.
Screening for common chromosomal abnormalities can be from 10 weeks gestation.
This Illumina VeriSeq test is taken as a blood sample from the mother, in the same way as the Harmony test is.
It can only be taken after you have had an ultrasound to confirm the stage of the pregnancy (>10 weeks) and how many foetuses there are. We do not offer an ultrasound during the appointment. This must be carried out elsewhere.
Please note it can process singleton or twin pregnancies but we need to know if it’s a twin.
We cannot process pregnancies with a demised / vanished twin.
Like the Harmony test, the blood samples for the Illumina VeriSeq test are processed in the genetics department of The Doctor’s laboratory (TDL) in London. Results take 4-6 working days to come back.
Ideally you should be registered with an obstetrician and mid-wife before having the Illumina VeriSeq (Harmony) test so that if it is needed you can have appropriate follow-up investigations if your test predicts a chromosomal abnormality.
Sex Chromosome Conditions
Sex chromosome conditions occur when there is a missing, extra, or incomplete copy of the X or Y chromosomes.
Similar to the Harmony test, the Illumina VeriSeq NIPT test with sex chromosome aneuploidy panel option can assess risk for XXX, XYY, XXYY, XXY (Klinefelter syndrome), and a missing X chromosome in a girl (Turner syndrome).
This option will be discussed at your appointment to determine whether requesting this is right for you.
This option is not available for twin pregnancies.
What is the Illumina veriseq NIPT test?
The Illumina VeriSeq NIPT test replaces the harmony blood test, which looks for genetic material- circulating in the mother’s blood- that has come from their developing foetus. This is a method used to determine the risk for the foetus being born with certain chromosomal abnormalities.
The testing is non-invasive: it involves taking a blood sample from the mother. The pregnancy is not put at risk of miscarriage, or from other adverse outcomes that are associated with invasive testing procedures such as amniocentesis.
It is only done in women who are aged 18 to 48 years old.
How does the Illumina veriseq NIPT test work?
The Illumina VeriSeq test works in the same way as the Harmony test. This genetic material is analysed to assess the chromosomes of the foetus. It can look at the sex of the foetus and for trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome), 18 (Edward’s syndrome) and 13 ( Patau’s syndrome). Other sex chromosome conditions can also be predicted with the test.
How accurate is the Illumina veriseq NIPT test?
The Illumina Veriseq NIPT test is MORE accurate than the Harmony test, and whilst it is not 100% accurate, it is very useful for estimating the risk of the foetus having a chromosomal abnormality.
Around 2% of blood samples taken from a pregnant mother will not have enough genetic material from their foetus to analyse appropriately, and so the test will have to be repeated in these cases; there is no charge for repeat testing in this case.
If you do not want to repeat the test, we can offer a refund of £300 which covers the cost of the test.
FAQs about testing for Down Syndrome
What is Down syndrome?
Down syndrome is a life-long condition that a person is born with. It can cause learning problems and medical problems affecting the heart, blood, digestive system, and other organs. The learning and medical problems in people with Down syndrome can be mild or severe.
People with Down syndrome have a problem with their chromosomes. Chromosomes are tiny parts of cells that carry the plans that make our bodies the way they are. People with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome. This is what causes their health problems and makes them look a little different than people without Down syndrome.
About 1 in 500 babies in the United States is born with Down syndrome. As you get older, your chances of giving birth to a baby with Down syndrome get higher. But it can happen at any age.
You are also more likely to have a baby with Down syndrome if you have a close family member with the condition.
What are my options for Down syndrome testing during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, you can choose to have:
Screening tests – These are tests that can tell you if it is likely that your baby has Down syndrome. But they do not tell you definitely.
Diagnostic tests – These are tests that can tell you for definite if your baby has Down syndrome.
You can also choose not to have screening or diagnostic tests.
What do the screening tests for Down Syndrome involve?
Different screening tests are available depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy.
Screening tests can involve:
Blood tests – This involves taking a small amount of your blood for testing in a laboratory.
Ultrasound – This is an imaging test that creates pictures of your baby.
Having a screening test does not increase your chance of having a miscarriage. (A miscarriage is when a pregnancy ends on its own before 20 weeks.)
If a screening test shows that there is a high chance that your baby has Down syndrome, you can then choose to have a diagnostic test to find out for sure.
What do the diagnostic tests FOR Down syndrome involve?
Two types of diagnostic tests are available:
Chorionic villus sampling- a doctor removes a tiny piece of the placenta. The placenta is the organ that brings the baby nutrients and oxygen and carries away waste. Chorionic villus sampling can be done by putting a thin tube through your vagina and into your uterus, or by inserting a needle through your belly. This test is usually done at 11 to 12 weeks of pregnancy, but it can be done as late as 14 weeks.
Amniocentesis – During amniocentesis, a doctor puts a needle through your belly and uterus and then removes some of the fluid that is around the baby. This test is usually done between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, but it can be done later.
It is important to know that having one of these diagnostic tests gives you a small chance of having a miscarriage because of the test. Your specialist can discuss the chance of miscarriage with you.
How do I decide whether or not to have a screening test, like the Illumina veriseq NIPT test, for Down Syndrome?
This is a personal decision. If you are not sure what to choose, your doctor or nurse can talk to you about the benefits and downsides of the different options.
You might choose a screening test if you want to understand whether your baby has a high or low chance of having Down syndrome. You might feel that you will worry less if there is a low chance that the baby has Down syndrome.
You might choose a diagnostic test if you want to know for sure if your baby has Down syndrome. You might want the option to have an abortion, or you might want to continue with the pregnancy but have as much information as possible.
You might choose to have no tests if you feel that "whatever will be, will be." This might be your choice if you know that you would not do anything differently no matter what the test results showed.
What happens after my test?
If the Illumina veriseq NIPT test showed that there is a high chance your baby has Down syndrome:
You might be able to have another, different screening test, which can give you a better idea of how likely your baby is to have Down syndrome
You can have a diagnostic test to know for sure if your baby has Down syndrome
You can choose to not have any more tests done during pregnancy. You can wait until birth to have a test done to find out if your baby has Down syndrome.
You can talk to obstetrics specialist or fetal medicine specialist to help you make a choice