Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) in Abu Dhabi

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) in Abu Dhabi is available at the Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital MFM Unit from 10 completed weeks. It is a maternal blood screening test for trisomies 21, 18, and 13. Performance varies by condition, laboratory, and population; a high-risk result requires diagnostic confirmation.

Who This Page is For

Customized clinical pathways and insights to support our patients and referring medical partners.

Pregnant Patient

Expectant mothers from 10 completed weeks seeking screening for common chromosomal conditions without an invasive procedure.

Referring Doctor

Obstetricians seeking reliable risk stratification for chromosomal aneuploidies using cell-free DNA (cfDNA).

Abnormal Screening

Mothers with an increased-chance or inconclusive screening result who need counselling about cfDNA screening and diagnostic options.

Second Opinion

Parents wanting to discuss screening accuracy, options, and abnormal results with MFM experts.

When to see MFM

Available to all pregnant patients from 10 completed weeks after counselling about the available screening and diagnostic options.
Mothers wishing to screen for common trisomies using a maternal blood sample.
Borderline or elevated risk results on first-trimester combined screening.
Family history of chromosomal abnormalities.

What we do

Pre-test clinical counseling to explain testing limitations and capabilities.
Maternal venipuncture blood draw performed starting from 10 completed weeks.
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis of cell-free fetal DNA.
Post-test consultation to discuss results and direct diagnostic pathways if high-risk.

What happens during the visit

1

Consultation with the MFM specialist to review gestational age and indicators.

2

A simple maternal blood draw.

3

Laboratory processing; the expected turnaround depends on the test and laboratory and is confirmed when the sample is taken.

4

Review of results with the clinical team, in-person or via telehealth.

When urgent referral is needed

  • High-risk NIPT result indicating Down, Edwards, or Patau syndrome requires prompt MFM consultation for diagnostic options.
  • NIPT cannot replace diagnostic tests; positive results must be confirmed.

Where the service is available

Available at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital, Abu Dhabi. We receive patients from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Al Ain, and other emirates.

Why Fetus.ae / Mediclinic MFM

Fully integrated pre- and post-test counseling by fellowship-trained MFM specialists.
Access to CVS or amniocentesis when diagnostic confirmation is clinically appropriate, after individual counselling.
Clinical genetics laboratory partners selected for the test required.
Comprehensive ultrasound scan performed at the time of blood draw to verify viability and dating.

Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital

Appointments & Inquiries

800 2000

Clinical Working Hours

Clinic times vary by location and consultant. Please confirm when booking via 800 2000.

Specialists Available

Fellowship-trained, internationally recognized consultants offering evidence-based precision care.

Dr. Leanne Bricker MB.BCh FRCOG

Dr. Leanne Bricker MB.BCh FRCOG

Consultant in Fetal & Maternal Medicine

Over three decades of clinical excellence, serving as Chair of Fetal Medicine at Corniche Hospital from 2014-2025.

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Dr. Soha Tohamy Said MB BCH MRCPI, FRCOG

Dr. Soha Tohamy Said MB BCH MRCPI, FRCOG

Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology, Consultant Maternal Fetal Medicine

Former Department Chair of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Corniche Hospital with immense experience leading tertiary maternity services.

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Dr. Bernard Nasr

Dr. Bernard Nasr

Consultant Obstetrics/Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine

French-trained MFM expert proficient in invasive therapeutic procedures and multiple pregnancy complications.

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Dr. Marija Hadji Lega

Dr. Marija Hadji Lega

Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist, Associate Professor

Internationally trained specialist with 25+ years of clinical experience, renowned for advanced fetal neurology and cardiology.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Clinical answers directly from our specialists to help prepare you for your appointment.

It screens for the most common chromosomal trisomies: Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), and Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome), as well as sex chromosome variations.

NIPT uses a standard maternal blood sample and does not involve entering the pregnancy, so it does not add the procedure-related miscarriage risk associated with invasive sampling.

For trisomy 21, many validated tests report detection above 99% in appropriate populations. Performance varies by condition and laboratory, and the positive predictive value depends on prior risk. NIPT remains screening, not diagnosis.

Yes, NIPT can determine the fetal gender with high accuracy from 10 weeks of pregnancy.

A high-risk result indicates a high probability that the baby has a chromosomal condition. It is not a definitive diagnosis and must be confirmed via CVS or amniocentesis.

A low-risk result is highly reassuring and means the chance of the screened chromosomal conditions is extremely low, though it does not rule out all genetic issues.

Getting Here & Access

Our Abu Dhabi hub is at Mediclinic Airport Road Hospital on Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Street (Airport Road), a central location with dedicated on-site parking and step-free access. It is an easy drive from Khalifa City, Al Reem Island, Al Reef, Yas Island, Saadiyat and Mussafah, and roughly 60–75 minutes from Dubai via the E11 (Sheikh Zayed Road). Families travelling from Al Ain or the Western Region are seen by prior appointment so scans and consultations are completed in a single visit.

Insurance & Coverage

We work with major UAE insurers including Daman — including Thiqa and Daman Enhanced — as well as ADNIC, Nextcare, NAS and other networks. Coverage and pre-authorisation requirements vary by plan, so our team confirms your eligibility and arranges any approvals before your appointment. Self-pay packages are also available.

Areas We Serve

Khalifa CityAl Reem IslandAl ReefYas IslandSaadiyat IslandMussafahAl RahaMohammed Bin Zayed CityAl BateenAl Shamkha

Book a Clinical Consultation

Our Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists provide evidence-based assessment, clear counselling, and coordinated care.

Medical Content Reviewed by: Dr. Leanne Bricker (MFM Consultant)
Last updated: August 2026