New Down's syndrome test to end amniotic needle use

Pregnant women are set to be offered a genetic test for Down's syndrome that could end the use of amniotic needles that have caused thousands of miscarriages.

The new test just requires blood from the mother’s arm, rather than the womb of the developing baby.

It comes after the UK discovery that fragments of fetal DNA circulate in a mother’s blood. 

The test looks for extra copies of chromosome 21. Most of us have two copies but people with Down’s syndrome have three.


The procedure is currently being evaluated by the NHS, which is looking to introduction the test in about three years’ time.

But, initially, it will be offered to parents with private medical cover and those who can afford the £350 fee.

Mervi Jokinen, RCM practice and standards development advisor, said: ‘This is something that’s been on the table quite a long time and we welcome it as a positive step.

‘The risk of a miscarriage through using an amniotic needle is quoted as being about one in 100 and this would take that risk away.’


A study of 753 pregnancies, published in the British Medical Journal, including 86 cases of Down’s syndrome, has found the test to be 98% accurate.

While research in an US journal reported 99% accuracy and the results of a third study will be published later this year.

The discovery was made at Oxford University by Professor Dennis Lo, a fellow of the Royal Society, who is now at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where the test will be introduced next year.

Lo has licensed the technology to a biotech company in California, which is talking to laboratories in the UK and EU countries to introduce the test in Europe.

If the company finds the right UK partner, the test could be offered as early as next year.