Metropolis Healthcare has unveiled the results of a comprehensive three-year study aimed at enhancing prenatal care and identifying high-risk pregnancies more accurately. Conducted from January 2021 to December 2023, the study involved 140,528 pregnant women and explored the efficacy of combining Pregascreen Reflex Testing with Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) or Karyotyping.

The findings highlight the transformative impact of integrating advanced prenatal testing methods to better detect fetal abnormalities and reduce false-positive results. The study initially identified 5,879 pregnancies as high-risk through traditional early trimester screenings. However, by incorporating NIPT with Pregascreen reflex testing, the accuracy of identifying genuine high-risk cases improved significantly.

In the first trimester, dual marker testing initially flagged 2,416 cases as high-risk. Following NIPT reflex testing, only 64 of these cases remained classified as high-risk, while 1,142 were correctly reassigned as low risk. Similarly, in the second trimester, the Quadruple marker indicated 3,463 cases as high-risk. NIPT reflex testing then accurately reclassified 455 of these as low risk, leaving only 20 still considered high-risk.

These results underscore the significant advantages of using NIPT and Pregascreen reflex testing in prenatal screening. The integration of these methods not only reduces false positives but also ensures that high-risk pregnancies are identified with greater precision. This allows healthcare providers to focus their efforts on cases that truly require intensive monitoring and intervention, ultimately improving maternal and fetal health outcomes.

Dr. Sushil Shah, Chairman of Metropolis Healthcare, commented on the findings: "Our study demonstrates the critical role of advanced prenatal testing in providing accurate diagnoses and reducing unnecessary anxiety for expectant couples. By leveraging NIPT and Pregascreen reflex testing, we can offer safer, non-invasive, and highly accurate screening options that enhance prenatal care."

The study highlights several benefits of this integrated approach:

Enhanced Diagnostic Accuracy: By combining Pregascreen and NIPT, the precision in identifying high-risk pregnancies is significantly improved.

Non-Invasive Testing: NIPT is a non-invasive procedure, eliminating the risks associated with traditional invasive tests like amniocentesis.

Increased Accessibility: The advanced diagnostics are made accessible to a broader range of expectant couples, promoting wider adoption and better health outcomes.

Looking forward, Metropolis Healthcare is committed to expanding its services and incorporating the latest technological advancements to alleviate maternal health burdens and improve access to innovative healthcare solutions.