New test brings big fall in birth of Down’s babies

More women are opting for abortions after having DNA screening for the syndrome, raising alarm among campaigners
The test of the baby’s DNA, extracted from the mother’s blood, is much more accurate in detecting Down’s
The test of the baby’s DNA, extracted from the mother’s blood, is much more accurate in detecting Down’s
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The number of babies born with Down’s syndrome has fallen by 30% in NHS hospitals that have introduced a new form of screening.

The figures, which have been released by 26 hospital trusts in England under freedom of information laws, cover the period from 2013 — before the test was introduced to some hospitals — to 2017. The 26 account for about a fifth of the hospital trusts that offer maternity services.

More women who have the new test go on to have abortions because it is much more accurate in detecting Down’s.

Campaigners for the rights of children with Down’s fear that the trend will be replicated nationally when the NHS introduces non-invasive prenatal testing in all hospitals. Its planned launch in the autumn