We want to know if our child has down syndrome? Before this difficult decision many expectant are parents. Since some years you can with the help of a blood tests calculate the probability of whether or not your Unborn comes with a trisomy to the world. So far, you have to pay for the Test itself, but in the future, insurance companies may assume the costs for high-Risk pregnancies, including women 35 years and over. (Read more about it here.)
Critics warn that the blood test could lead to more abortions. “We fear that in the future fewer children with down syndrome come to the world as yet,” said the managing Director of the German down syndrome info center, Elzbieta Szczebak. The facility is part of a coalition of organizations, has spoken out against plans of the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), blood tests for at-risk Pregnant women to make to the Fund performance.
According to the German society for Prenatal and birth medicine, the plans could provide for more justice. “So there is no gap between the Pregnant women, who can afford the Test, and those who can’t afford to pay him,” said President Dieter tomb. The Test will cost at least 130 Euro. The first provider of the test, LifeCodexx AG, has sold according to own statements in the year of 2012, around 75,000 of the so-called Praena-test in Germany.
So Praena function Tests
For the Tests, the Pregnant women from the 11. Week blood drawn. On the basis of the contained chromosomes parts of the child or the placenta, among other things, the probability can be calculated, with the help of the child would be coming with down syndrome to the world. With an accuracy of 99 percent of the blood test is considered to be safer than the so-called First-Trimester Screening with a rate of 95 percent. While the fetus is in the 11. to 14. Pregnancy measuring device week with an ultrasound, in addition, certain blood values are analysed by the mother.
Long was during the pregnancy with an amniocentesis to determine whether the child Trisomies. These recommend that Doctors continue to in the case of unclear Findings, blood tests, or First-Trimester Screening. Amniocentesis carries risks, however: About one to three out of 1000 fetuses do not survive the surgery. “It is expected that, in future, significantly more women will make such a blood test,” says grave. He says: “In sum, it will be so that more women have abortions.”
How many abortions are due to a possible down syndrome diagnosis, is not included in the statistics. Roughly 101,000 abortions there were, according to the Federal statistical office last year in Germany. In around 3800 cases a medical indication. A woman learns that her child is likely to come with Trisonomie 21 in the world, is also an abortion after the twelfth week of pregnancy with impunity. Experts estimate that 90 percent of the affected women opt for a termination of pregnancy.
“Overall, the blood test is critical,” says physicians tomb. “One searches only in accordance with the Trisomies 13, 18 and 21.” The blood test is therefore not a substitute for prenatal diagnosis.
“In the ultrasound scan in First Trimester Screening we will have the Chance to help the children, because important organs such as the heart, stomach and brain will be examined,” adds Holger Janke. That is not known to many. “Pregnant women often have just a question: down syndrome-Yes or no?”. Janke fears that women use in the future, only the blood test, and thus, diseases, which can be found in the belly of treat – such as an open back – too late to be detected.
Ethical Dilemma
Dieter tomb also points to an ethical Problem: “We discovered trisomy 21 in order more often.” On the other hand, should be free to decide for each Pair whether it be in the position feels, a child with serious developmental deficits.
Down syndrome organizations warn that the fear of disability will be strengthened and people with disabilities would be valued in the society as “avoidable” and not welcome. Parents of children with disabilities came under increasing pressure to justify – according to the Motto: you have it can know. “Also, many people with down syndrome are very concerned,” says Szczebak. You ask: ‘Why should we live?'”
It calls for the advice and offers of help to expand the offer for Pregnant women and affected families. “Doctors will tell you immediately: ‘you do not need to get the child.'” This view must change.