For the first time women are to get an advanced blood test to detect Down ’ s syndrome and other abnormalities in unborn babies on the NHS . The non-invasive IONA test examines DNA in cells from the foetus found floating in the mother ’ s blood and looks for evidence of chromosomal abnormalities that cause genetic disorders . It will be offered at in London through the NHS and privately . The non-invasive IONA test examines DNA in cells from the foetus found floating in the mother ’ s blood and looks for evidence of chromosomal abnormalities that cause genetic disorders . Results will be given within days – compared to the two weeks it takes to send comparable tests abroad for processing . It is one of several non-invasive prenatal testing ( NIPT ) examinations that promise greater accuracy for women at high risk of having a Down ’ s baby . Eventually such NIPT tests will be routinely used to reassure all pregnant women . Current screening for Down ’ s on the NHS consists of the less-accurate ‘ combined ’ test , which uses ultrasound to measure the amount of fluid at the back of the baby ’ s neck at 11 weeks , as well as a blood test . Professor Basky Thilaganathan , consultant obstetrician at St George ’ s , said the new test was the first to be regulated under the EU ’ s health and safety standards . He said : ‘ Too many pregnant women have been through the anxiety and discomfort of invasive procedures after receiving false positive results [ women wrongly identified as being at risk ] from the combined test – the IONA test gives us the accuracy and reliability to reduce this number significantly. ’ Results will be given within days – compared to the two weeks it takes to send comparable tests abroad . A study by the UK National Screening Committee to check whether NIPT should be offered routinely on the NHS is underway , involving five hospitals , and is due to report later this year . Trials of another NIPT test offering expectant mothers 99 per cent accuracy in screening for Down ’ s syndrome are being run by Great Ormond Street Hospital . NIPT has a higher detection rate and lower false positive rate than the combined test . This means fewer women will undergo unnecessary invasive follow-up procedures which are stressful and carry a small risk of miscarriage . Dr Stephen Little , CEO of Premaitha – the makers of the IONA test , said : ‘ We recognised the limitations in the current standard of prenatal screening and the huge unmet medical need for a regulated test . ’
Non-invasive IONA test examines foetus DNA in cells in mother 's blood . Results will be given within days - not like the current wait of weeks . Comment: Eventually similar tests will be routinely used to reassure pregnant women .