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Additional findings from NIPT

In the Netherlands, pregnant women who wish to receive prenatal screening for Down, Edwards and Patau syndrome (trisomy 21, 18 and 13) can choose between the combined test and the non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) within the context of scientific research. From 2023, NIPT may potentially be included in the Dutch national program for prenatal screening. The Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport has yet to make a decision about this matter and has asked the Health Council for advice on how to deal with findings arising from NIPT beyond trisomy 21, 18 and 13. The Health Council advises to report so-called additional findings only if the pregnant woman chooses to be informed. Reporting should be limited to those NIPT results that - if confirmed with follow-up diagnostic testing - are certain or very likely to cause disease and lead to serious health problems in the child.