Regulation and financing of prenatal screening and diagnostic examinations for fetal anomalies in selected European countries

Reinsperger I
Record ID 32018002381
English
Authors' objectives: There are several prenatal screening and diagnostic tests to detect fetal structural and chromosomal anomalies, classified as non-invasive and invasive methods. The regulation and financing of these examinations are heterogeneous across countries. On behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, this policy brief focuses on the supply, financing and setting of the following tests in selected European countries: First Trimester Screening (FTS)/Combined Test (CT), Non-invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT), amniocentesis/chorionic villus sampling, and second-trimester ultrasound screening for fetal anomalies.
Authors' recommendations: It should be noted that due to the many ethical aspects of the topic, a broad societal discourse with the relevant interest groups and stakeholders appears to be necessary. Particular attention should be paid to high-quality and non-directive information and counselling.
Authors' methods: We chose six European countries to illustrate the range of possible regulations and forms of funding: Germany (DE), Switzerland (CH), the Netherlands (NL), United Kingdom (UK), Norway (NO) and Italy (IT). A comprehensive hand search was combined with an expert consultation by means of a questionnaire. To answer the research questions, eleven completed questionnaires and 22 relevant sources from the hand search were available. The provision, regulation and financing of prenatal screening and diagnostic tests for fetal anomalies vary widely across the six selected countries. This concerns in particular the choice of the primary screening test for fetal trisomies (FTS/CT, NIPT or the identification of risk factors), the implementation of the NIPT, the reimbursement of the tests, the uptake of the examinations, but also the general antenatal care, especially the professional groups responsible for it. There are also similarities between countries, particularly concerning the provision and financing of invasive tests and the ultrasound screening for fetal anomalies in the second trimester.
Details
Project Status: Completed
URL for project: https://aihta.at/page/regelung-und-finanzierung-von-praenataldiagnostischen-untersuchungen-in-ausgewaehlten-europaeischen-laendern-policy-brief/en
Year Published: 2022
URL for published report: https://eprints.aihta.at/1369/1/Policy%20Brief_012.pdf
URL for additional information: https://eprints.aihta.at/1369/
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Rapid Review
Country: Austria
MeSH Terms
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal
  • Noninvasive Prenatal Testing
  • Prenatal Diagnosis
  • Europe
  • Germany
  • Switzerland
  • Netherlands
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Trisomy
  • Government Regulation
  • Financing, Organized
  • Financing, Government
  • Financing, Personal
  • Congenital Abnormalities
  • Fetal Diseases
Keywords
  • Prenatal testing
  • prenatal diagnosis
  • screening
  • pregnancy
  • fetal anomalies
  • trisomy
  • NIPT
  • ultrasound
Contact
Organisation Name: Austrian Institute for Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address: Garnisongasse 7/20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
Contact Name: office@aihta.at
Contact Email: office@aihta.at
Copyright: HTA Austria - AIHTA GmbH
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.