Boost in Prenatal Blood Tests for Trisomies in Schleswig-Holstein
Increased Prenatal Tests Frequency for Detecting Trisomies in Barmer Region - Enhanced Prenatal Tests for Chromosomal Abnormalities Frequent in Barmer Region
In Schleswig-Holstein, the prevalence of prenatal blood tests for trisomies has seen a steady climb, according to data from health insurance company, Barmer. The report reveals that in 2024, 43% of pregnant women in Schleswig-Holstein received such a test, up from 33.9% in 2023.
Known as the non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT), this screening method checks the fetus's genetic material for trisomies 13, 18, and 21, which can impact physical and mental development. The most common trisomy, Down syndrome (trisomy 21), is one such example. As of July 2022, statutory health insurers have reportedly covered the costs of this test, although it's not part of the standard preventive care during pregnancy.
"The non-invasive prenatal test isn't a common preventive measure. Doctors must educate pregnant women thoroughly and make an informed decision as a team about the appropriateness of the test," highlights the regional manager of Barmer in Schleswig-Holstein, Bernd Hillebrandt. It's important to note that this test is unable to determine the overall health of the child.
Interestingly, Hillebrandt's statistics indicate that older pregnant women tend to opt for the test more frequently than their younger counterparts. In Schleswig-Holstein, 58.5% of pregnant women aged 36 and over had an NIPT in 2024. "Trisomies are rare at any age, but their occurrence increases with age," explains Hillebrandt. The inclusion of NIPT in the benefits catalog of statutory health insurance aims to bring down the number of invasive prenatal examinations.
Traditional invasive procedures like amniocentesis reportedly carry risks such as premature rupture of membranes, infections, or bleeding. At present, there's no evidence suggesting that the introduction of NIPT has resulted in a decrease in invasive tests.
Trisomies are characterized by an extra chromosome in fetal cells, which can cause physical malformations, intellectual disabilities, and a shorter lifespan.
Insight
Non-Invasive Prenatal Tests (NIPTs) are an advanced screening method that analyzes cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from a mother's blood. They offer increased safety, accuracy, and ease of use compared to invasive tests, making them increasingly popular. However, while specific data on Schleswig-Holstein is not provided, the trend towards increased use of NIPTs globally likely reflects similar reasons and implications in the region.
- Vocational training programs could be introduced in the community to aid older pregnant women in Schleswig-Holstein, offering health-and-wellness education and mental health resources, as they tend to opt for non-invasive prenatal tests more frequently.
- With the rise of non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPTs) in Schleswig-Holstein, there is an opportunity for science to explore the potential link between these tests and the overall health and well-being of both mother and child, beyond just the detection of trisomies.
