New Down's syndrome test for pregnant women

Pregnant women in England will be offered a safer, more accurate new test for Down's syndrome through the NHS from 2018.

The non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) is hoping to cut the number of women who need riskier diagnostic tests in pregnancy that can cause a miscarriage. The NHS already offers screening to women 11-14 weeks into their pregnancy.

Down's syndrome is a genetic condition that can cause some level of learning disability and characteristic physical features. An ultrasound scan, the mother's age and other factors such as smoking are combined to assess the likelihood of a baby having Down's.

NIPT is a simple blood test that can more accurately inform women about the odds of their unborn child having Down's, or indeed other genetic disorders such as Edwards' and Patau's syndromes, before deciding whether or not to have amniocentesis - in which a needle is used to extract a sample of amniotic fluid surrounding the foetus for testing to get a clear diagnosis.

Some charities and patient organisations have welcomed the move, but others are concerned about the possible ramifications. Critics fear the new test, although optional, will have an unwanted effect - more women aborting Down's babies.

Dr Anne Mackie, from the UK National Screening Committee, said: "We will closely manage the roll-out of non-invasive prenatal testing to give us a better understanding of the impact it has on the decisions women and their partners make following their test results.

"Key to ensuring we get this right is the work we are doing with patient groups, scientists and clinicians, to help us develop balanced informative resources for the public and health professionals."