Implementing non-invasive prenatal testing into publicly funded antenatal screening services for Down syndrome and other conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand
Abstract Background Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a relatively new screen for congenital conditions – specifically, common fetal aneuploidies including Down Syndrome. The test is based on isolating freely circulating fragments of fetal-placental DNA that is present in the mother’s blood. N...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2017-10-01
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| Series: | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-017-1535-x |
| _version_ | 1818670061529858048 |
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| author | Sara Filoche Fiona Cram Bev Lawton Angela Beard Peter Stone |
| author_facet | Sara Filoche Fiona Cram Bev Lawton Angela Beard Peter Stone |
| author_sort | Sara Filoche |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a relatively new screen for congenital conditions – specifically, common fetal aneuploidies including Down Syndrome. The test is based on isolating freely circulating fragments of fetal-placental DNA that is present in the mother’s blood. NIPT has a superior clinical performance compared to current screening, and has been available privately in Aotearoa New Zealand for the last 4 years. Main issue The proposed implementation of NIPT as a publicly funded service may widen the inequity in access to optional antenatal screening that already exists in this country. Conclusion This paper discusses precautions that can be taken at the health system, organisation, and personnel levels to ensure that access to NIPT is equitable, that services are culturally responsive, and women’s informed choice is promoted and protected. The adoption of NIPT into publicly funded services is an example of how genetic screening is becoming mainstreamed into health services; as such our approach may also have relevance around the introduction of other genetic and genomic screening initiatives. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T07:02:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5c49a98fda8b42b3a24f72171b1d76c2 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2393 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T07:02:07Z |
| publishDate | 2017-10-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| spelling | doaj.art-5c49a98fda8b42b3a24f72171b1d76c22022-12-21T21:59:15ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932017-10-011711610.1186/s12884-017-1535-xImplementing non-invasive prenatal testing into publicly funded antenatal screening services for Down syndrome and other conditions in Aotearoa New ZealandSara Filoche0Fiona Cram1Bev Lawton2Angela Beard3Peter Stone4Women’s Health Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of OtagoKatoa LtdWomen’s Health Research Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of OtagoChristchurch Obstetric AssociatesDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of AucklandAbstract Background Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a relatively new screen for congenital conditions – specifically, common fetal aneuploidies including Down Syndrome. The test is based on isolating freely circulating fragments of fetal-placental DNA that is present in the mother’s blood. NIPT has a superior clinical performance compared to current screening, and has been available privately in Aotearoa New Zealand for the last 4 years. Main issue The proposed implementation of NIPT as a publicly funded service may widen the inequity in access to optional antenatal screening that already exists in this country. Conclusion This paper discusses precautions that can be taken at the health system, organisation, and personnel levels to ensure that access to NIPT is equitable, that services are culturally responsive, and women’s informed choice is promoted and protected. The adoption of NIPT into publicly funded services is an example of how genetic screening is becoming mainstreamed into health services; as such our approach may also have relevance around the introduction of other genetic and genomic screening initiatives.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-017-1535-xNIPTCultural responsivenessEquityImplementationHealth serviceAntenatal screening |
| spellingShingle | Sara Filoche Fiona Cram Bev Lawton Angela Beard Peter Stone Implementing non-invasive prenatal testing into publicly funded antenatal screening services for Down syndrome and other conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth NIPT Cultural responsiveness Equity Implementation Health service Antenatal screening |
| title | Implementing non-invasive prenatal testing into publicly funded antenatal screening services for Down syndrome and other conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand |
| title_full | Implementing non-invasive prenatal testing into publicly funded antenatal screening services for Down syndrome and other conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand |
| title_fullStr | Implementing non-invasive prenatal testing into publicly funded antenatal screening services for Down syndrome and other conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand |
| title_full_unstemmed | Implementing non-invasive prenatal testing into publicly funded antenatal screening services for Down syndrome and other conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand |
| title_short | Implementing non-invasive prenatal testing into publicly funded antenatal screening services for Down syndrome and other conditions in Aotearoa New Zealand |
| title_sort | implementing non invasive prenatal testing into publicly funded antenatal screening services for down syndrome and other conditions in aotearoa new zealand |
| topic | NIPT Cultural responsiveness Equity Implementation Health service Antenatal screening |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12884-017-1535-x |
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