Van Den Bogaert K, Lannoo L, Brison N, et al. Genet Med. 2021;23(6):1137-1142. doi:10.1038/s41436-021-01101-4. Open Access: Learn more

Tags: Clinical Experience / Clinical Utility, 2021, Belgium, RAAs, CNVs

• Belgium was the first country to implement and fully reimburse NIPT as a first-tier screening for all pregnant women. In this publication, a consortium comprised of all the Belgian genetic center reports on the clinical experience during a 2-year period of offering Expanded NIPT as a first-tier testing option for all pregnant women. Of the 153,575 pregnancies screened, rare autosomal trisomies and partial deletions/duplications were found in 0.23% and 0.07% of cases, respectively. Invasive diagnostic obstetric procedures decreased by 52%. The authors conclude that their Expanded NIPT approach has been successfully implemented into prenatal care in Belgium and could possibly act as a framework for other countries offering NIPT.