There are two screening options for antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions available.

                           

Quality improvements to antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions

A report released in April 2007 by the National Screening Unit, Antenatal Down Syndrome Screening in New Zealand 2007, identified that the practice of screening using maternal age and/or nuchal translucency (NT) without biochemical markers was unsafe and should not continue.

The Ministry of Health has reviewed practices for the screening and diagnosis of Down syndrome and other conditions in pregnancy, and introduced quality improvements.  The purpose of the quality improvements is to improve the quality and safety of screening services for pregnant women in New Zealand who choose to have screening, in line with international practice.  Women who choose not to have screening must be supported in their decision.