“This is the most exciting development in pregnancy care in many years”

At the moment, testing for Down’s syndrome involves a number of ultrasound scans of the baby as well as a blood test for the expectant-mum. Experts then estimate the woman’s chances of having a baby with the condition.

 

However, a new medical development could soon provide women with a better blood test for Down syndrome as well as rare genetic conditions like Edward's syndrome and Patau syndrome.

 

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) provides a high accuracy rate for Down’s (over 99%) and unlike invasive tests, it doesn’t carry any risk of miscarriage.

 

While NIPT is still only available in private hospitals, a decision on whether to introduce the test nationally will be made once the results of a clinical trial are known.

 

Professor Peter Soothill, a consultant in foetal medicine said: “This is the most exciting development in pregnancy care in many years.”

 

“The new test is so accurate that the number of women who will need invasive tests is going to fall very dramatically while still informing those who wish to know about chromosomal abnormalities,” he added.

 

At the moment, nearly 750 babies a year are born with Down syndrome. The fact that this test can detect whether a baby has Down's syndrome as early as the 10th week of pregnancy means that mums can be better prepared for their little one’s special needs.