Antenatal Screening for Down syndrome and other conditions
The NSU has implemented a process of development of quality improvements to antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions.
This work commenced after the report 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 introduction of improved and updated pathways for screening bring screening technology in line with similar international initiatives.
The purpose of the quality improvements is:
- to improve the quality and safety of screening information and services for pregnant women in New Zealand
- to ensure that those women who choose to have screening are able to access a service which is comparable with those available internationally
- to ensure that all women are supported in their decision whether or not they choose to have screening.
In this section
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These guidelines are to support best practice for health practitioners when advising pregnant women in New Zealand of the availability of antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions.
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The NSU offers on-line education for health practitioners who provide services within the antenatal and newborn screening programmes.
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Answers to some commonly asked questions about the quality improvements in Antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions.
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Accurate nuchal translucency (NT) and crown rump length (CRL) ultrasound measurements are essential for high quality risk results for women who choose to participate in antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions.
Page last updated: 23 November 2014