Almost every second pregnant woman in BAWÜ is testing for genetic defects!

Almost every second pregnant woman in BAWÜ is testing for genetic defects!

Almost every second pregnant woman in Baden-Württemberg falls back on genetic tests to check the genetic defects of her unborn child. In an analysis of its billing data, the health insurance company Barmer showed that in 2022 around 47.7 percent of pregnant women in the region carried out a blood test in Trisomies, which corresponds to a significant increase compared to almost 25 percent in 2021. This development is partly due to the assumption of the costs for the non -invasive prenatal test (NIP) by the health insurance companies in the same year.

The NIPT makes it possible to examine the genetic material of the unborn child for the most common trisomies, in particular trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), but also trisomies 13 and 18, which are often associated with serious malformations and severely shortened life expectancy. The DNA of the unborn child is not obtained invasively from the mother's blood. One advantage of this method is that you do not contain any increased risks such as invasive tests that may lead to premature bladder jumps, infections or bleeding.

invasive and non-invasive tests

Despite the increasing popularity of the Nip, it remains unclear whether this test actually led to a decline in invasive prenatal studies. Invasive procedures, such as amniocentesis or the chorionic villus, are considered the most reliable methods of diagnosing chromosome disorders, but are also associated with a risk of miscarriages of up to 1 percent. These tests are usually only recommended if there is an increased risk of chromosome disorders or serious hereditary diseases.

The NIPT is primarily used by older pregnant women. According to the data of the Barmer, over 65 percent of women over 36 years had this blood test carried out in 2022. This is not surprising because the likelihood of trisomies increases with the age of the mother. However, the decision to be tested should be carefully considered and discussed with a doctor to clarify the individual advantages and disadvantages.

increased demand for prenatal diagnostics

The health opportunities and challenges associated with prenatal gene tests are enriched by information on platforms such as Gesundheitsinformation.de This platform offers current content based on the results of high -quality studies and are regularly examined by experts. Nevertheless, this does not replace the personal conversation with a medical specialist who is urgently recommended to correctly classify the results.

The importance of preventive measures during pregnancy, as highlighted in the Federal Office of Health . Various preventive examinations should enable both the health of the mother and the unborn child and, if necessary, necessary decisions.