UNITY Screen™ NIPT for Triple X Syndrome

What Is UNITY Screen™ for XXX Syndrome?

UNITY Screen™ is a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) that can detect the risk of a developing baby having certain chromosomal disorders, including triple X syndrome, as early as 9 weeks into pregnancy from the pregnant patient’s blood sample. The test analyzes the DNA of the pregnancy, which is found in the mother's blood during pregnancy. UNITY Screen™ is a first-trimester trisomy X test that is highly accurate and looks to see if the baby is high-risk for triple X syndrome. You can speak with your provider or have a genetic counseling session to learn more about UNITY Screen™. 

How UNITY for Triple X Syndrome Works?

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What Is Triple X Syndrome?

Triple X syndrome, or XXX syndrome, is a genetic condition that occurs in females. Most females have two sex chromosomes, which are both X chromosomes. Females with Trisomy X syndrome have an extra X chromosome, resulting in a total of three X chromosomes instead of the typical two. This extra genetic material can lead to physical and developmental differences in females, including taller stature, delayed language skills, or sometimes no differences at all.

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What Causes Trisomy X Syndrome?

Triple X syndrome is a type of sex chromosome aneuploidy and is caused by the presence of an additional  X chromosome, which can occur randomly through the incorrect cell division during the formation of reproductive cells, sometimes referred to as sperm or eggs.

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Is Triple X Syndrome Inherited?

A chromosome variation, such as Trisomy X, is not typically inherited from a parent, but is rather a genetic disorder that is caused by a random event in either the egg or the sperm. The chance of having a baby with triple X syndrome increases with the mother's age, but it can occur in any pregnancy, even without any risk, which is why many expectant parents opt to proceed with one or more triple X syndrome genetic testing options during their pregnancy.

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Signs and Symptoms of Triple X Syndrome

The signs and symptoms of triple X syndrome can vary widely between individuals, but common physical characteristics include taller stature and poor muscle tone. Individuals with triple X syndrome also have an increased risk for learning disabilities, developmental delays, and speech and language delays. Sometimes, females with trisomy X may have behavioral and emotional problems, such as immaturity and anxiety. Some individuals may also experience learning and cognitive differences, such as difficulty focusing and poor executive functioning. It's important to note that not all individuals with triple X syndrome will experience the same symptoms and some may have no symptoms.

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Who Should Get Prenatal Screening for Triple X Syndrome?

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that all pregnant people be offered screening for chromosomal abnormalities, including triple X syndrome. Discussing genetic testing for triple X syndrome with your doctor is recommended for all pregnant women, but it is especially important for women who are older (advanced maternal age) or have had a previous pregnancy affected by chromosomal conditions. However anyone can have a baby with trisomy X syndrome. In fact, most individuals with trisomy X have no family history of significant health problems or other genetic disorders.

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UNITY Screen™ Triple X NIPT Workflow

Consult
The UNITY Screen™ NIPT is ordered through your healthcare provider. You can schedule a complimentary genetic counseling session to answer any questions about the test before or after your blood is drawn.

Test: As early as week 9
Your blood sample can be collected in the doctor’s office, at a local lab, or through our mobile services. Your blood sample is shipped to our CAP/CLIA certified laboratory in northern California.

aneuploidy NIPT + fetal antigen results: As early as week 10
Within about one week from lab receipt, your doctor will receive the baby’s risk score for aneuploidies (chromosome conditions) and fetal antigens (if added). You will receive a text or email indicating your results are available on our portal, or your healthcare provider may call you with the results.

carrier status + single-gene NIPT results: As early as week 11
Within about two weeks from lab receipt, your doctor will receive the results of your maternal carrier status testing and single-gene NIPT. If you were found to be a carrier for any of the recessive conditions, single-gene NIPT is automatically run to determine your baby’s risk of being affected. You will receive a text or email indicating your results are available on our portal, or your healthcare provider may call you with the results.

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How Accurate Is NIPT for Triple X Syndrome?

UNITY Screen™ is highly accurate at identifying pregnancies with an extra X chromosome.. However, it is important to note that a positive result does not definitively mean that the baby has triple X syndrome. It may indicate a need for further prenatal testing, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS), which can provide a diagnosis. Additionally a comprehensive ultrasound may be offered to help look for physical abnormalities, sometimes known as birth defects. It's important to discuss the test results with a healthcare provider to understand what they mean and decide how you would like to move forward with possible next steps.

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What Can I Expect if I Receive a High-Risk Result?

If UNITY Screen™ results show a higher chance for a developing baby to have triple X syndrome, it's recommended that you discuss the results and the implications with your healthcare provider or a genetic counselor. They will be able to explain the results, as well as diagnostic testing options available during your pregnancy or after delivery to confirm a diagnosis. Developmental therapy options, such as physical therapy to help improve low muscle tone, and other early intervention and support can help individuals with triple X syndrome lead fulfilling lives.

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Resources

• AXYS (Variations in X and Y Chromosome)
• National Society of Genetic Counselors
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Guide to Prenatal Diagnosis

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Frequently Asked Questions

Explore our additional resources and find answers to common questions.

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What is the treatment for triple X syndrome?

Many individuals with trisomy X syndrome do not realize they have the condition and have no signs or symptoms.  Others may benefit from extra help in school therapies such as speech, physical, and occupational therapy.

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Does triple X affect fertility?

Females with trisomy X usually have typical sexual development and fertility; however, some experience delayed puberty or decreased fertility. Women with triple X syndrome are usually biologically able to have children if they want to, and there is typically a low risk of passing on their extra X chromosome to a pregnancy.

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How can triple X syndrome be prevented?

Triple X syndrome is a random genetic event. No environmental, dietary, workplace or lifestyle factors are known to cause conditions like triple X syndrome. There is nothing you can do before you are pregnant or while you are pregnant that causes triple X syndrome to occur and there is also nothing you can do to prevent it.

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What is the prognosis for girls and women with triple X syndrome?

Most girls and women with triple X syndrome lead normal lives, and many do not show any signs or problems because of this condition. There are certain differences between girls with triple X syndrome and girls with two X chromosomes, but most of these differences are part of normal variation between individuals.