Safer test for Down’s syndrome to be offered to mothers-to-be in Wales

By Johanna Carr21st August 2017News WalesDisabilities, News Wales, Pregnancy

Pregnant women in Wales are to be offered a safer test for Down’s syndrome, reducing the risk of miscarriage during the testing process, the Welsh Government has announced.

It is anticipated that one to two babies will be saved from miscarriage each year in the country after the new non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) has been introduced.

The move will mean far fewer women will need invasive tests including amniocentesis, which carry a 1% chance of miscarriage and around a one in 1,000 risk of serious infection.

Currently all expectant mothers in Wales are offered a combined blood and ultrasound test in the first three months of pregnancy to check for abnormalities.

Those who show a high chance of their baby developing genetic conditions such as Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes are offered the invasive tests, which often involve taking a sample from the womb.

NIPT, a blood sample analysed in a laboratory, which is expected to be rolled out in Wales next year, will be offered as an additional option to these invasive tests and for women who receive a negative result.

Public Health Minister Rebecca Evans said: “The Welsh Government has accepted the recommendations made by the UK National Screening Committee and the Wales Screening Committee to introduce Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) as an additional option for women identified as higher chance for Down’s, and to add screening for Edwards’ and Patau’s syndrome and screening in twin pregnancies within the screening pathway in Wales.

“NIPT is more accurate than the current primary tests.

“A negative NIPT result will offer pregnant women the reassurance they need, without the need for a further invasive diagnostic test – reducing the unnecessary harm from miscarriage that can be caused through the use of these tests.”

It was announced last October that women in England would be offered NIPT.

In Wales the introduction of NIPT will be evaluated over the next three years, in line with recommendations made by the UK National Screening Committee and the Wales Screening Committee.