Down syndrome: Now it is official - blood test should be cash benefit

A blood test for the early detection of Down syndrome should be free for pregnant women. The Joint Federal Committee of Physicians, Health Insurance Funds and Clinics, the highest decision-making body in the health sector, launched an official procedure on Friday. Previously, the SPIEGEL had reported on the plans.

So far, high-risk pregnant women have to pay the at least 130 euro expensive blood test themselves. About 40 percent of expectant mothers in Germany are currently considered to be at risk. For example, because they are older than 35 years or have high blood pressure. In 2017, more than 200,000 women were more than 35 years old at birth. Pregnancy beyond the age of 35 years increases the likelihood of a baby's Down syndrome.

Several organizations resist the decision. They fear more abortions and a stigmatization of parents who decide despite positive test results for their child.

"No screening of pregnant women "

For the tests, the pregnant woman from the 11th Week blood is taken. Among other things, the probability of the child with Down's syndrome being born on the basis of the chromosomal parts of the child or the placenta contained therein can be calculated. The accuracy is according to the manufacturer at 99 percent. The false-alarm rate is very low: About one in every 1,000 women mistakenly get the information that their child has trisomy 21.

In contrast to an amniocentesis or biopsy of the placenta, the blood test carries little risk, emphasized the Chairman of the Federal Committee Josef Hecken. The test was therefore medically justified. "But it's not about a screening of all pregnant women," said Hecken. In addition, the test provides for more justice, because even low-income parents could now perceive him.

It is estimated that 90 percent of expectant mothers will opt for an abortion if they learn that their child is likely to have Down syndrome. Several organizations warn that the free blood test could increase the fear of a possible disability of the unborn child.

People with Down syndrome could increasingly be seen as "avoidable" in society. Parents of children with disabilities came more and more under justification pressure - "according to the motto: You could have known," said Elzbieta Szczebak of the German Downsyndrom InfoCenter.

Do we want to know if our child has Downsyndrom? This difficult ethical question should all parents have to decide for themselves - without social pressure.