Antenatal Screening for Down syndrome and Other Conditions

Picture of pregnant lady holding her stomach
Whether or not to participate in screening is your choice.

Screening can provide some information about the chance of your baby having Down syndrome or another condition. The screening options available provide a risk estimate for Down syndrome (trisomy21), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) and some other rare genetic disorders.

Screening options

There are two screening options available for women in New Zealand, who are less than 20 weeks pregnant.

First trimester combined screening

Is available if you are less than 14 weeks pregnant. This option combines the results of a blood test from you and a nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound scan with other information, such as your age and weight, to give a risk result.

Second trimester maternal serum screening

Is available if you are 14-20 weeks pregnant and combines the results of a blood test from you, with other information, such as your age and weight, to give a risk result.

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Page last updated: 24 November 2014