Prenatal diagnosis in the Netherlands, 1991–2000: number of invasive procedures, indications, abnormal results and terminations of pregnancy

Abstract

Objective To provide an overview of invasive prenatal diagnosis in the Netherlands and to analyse trends.Methods Annual results from all centres for invasive prenatal diagnosis in the Netherlands over the period 1991-2000 were combined and described, with particular emphasis on indications, abnormal results, type of invasive procedures, and terminations of pregnancy. ResultsThe percentage of invasive prenatal diagnosis increased from 5% of births in 1991 to 6% in 1996 and subsequently remained at that level. During the study period, the number of pregnant women aged 36 and older increased by 70%, but the number of procedures performed because of maternal age remained stable. The detection rate for abnormal results was 2-3% for maternal age and rose from 9 to 13% for other indications. Other trends during the study period included a relative decrease in cordocentesis (−82%) and chorionic villi biopsy (−18%) in favour of amniocentesis (+48%), and a strong decrease in the number of amniocentesis procedures for increased risk of neural tube defect. In 71% of the cases with abnormal results, the pregnancy was terminated. ConclusionThere was a significant decrease in the percentage of pregnant women aged 36 or older who underwent invasive prenatal diagnosis without previous screening.

Low uptake of prenatal diagnosis after established carrier status of a balanced structural chromosome abnormality in couples with recurrent miscarriage

“…In the Netherlands, an overall decline in uptake of invasive PND procedures among women above 36 years of age has been reported earlier. The percentage of women with advanced maternal age undergoing an invasive PND procedure fell from 46% in 1991 to 34% in 2000 (21). These percentages are comparable with the results in our study.…”

Triple X syndrome: a review of the literature

“…88,89 After a prenatal triple X diagnosis, a lower pregnancy termination rate is reported than in Klinefelter syndrome. 90,91 Severe abnormalities in ultrasound examinations before or after prenatal diagnosis increase termination rates. 92 There are major cultural differences in prenatal counselling.…”

Prenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome aneuploidies and disorders of sex development – a retrospective analysis of 11-year data

“…The incidence of SCAs diagnosed prenatally is around 1 in 300 [7,9], and they account for about 25% of all fetal abnormal karyotypes [6,17]. Postnatally, the frequency of SCAs decreases to approximately 1 in 400 [14].…”