This is a blood test that can detect 99% of cases of Down syndrome (trisomy 21). The magic of the test? There is no risk of miscarriage, unlike the other methods used.

The majority of expectant mothers ask themselves this question at the start of pregnancy. Will my child be healthy? Is there a risk of Down’s syndrome? However, the tests used at the moment to obtain an answer consist in inserting a syringe to withdraw amniotic fluid or to make a biopsy of the placenta.

These methods detect chromosome abnormalities that can lead to Down syndrome, but on the other hand, they can lead to miscarriage. However, although only women at risk are tested, about 300 miscarriages could be avoided each year, and we are talking about healthy babies.

The study leading to this analysis was carried out by London specialist in fetal medicine, Professor Kypros Nicolaides. the Harmony prenatal test has been used on over 2000 women at 12 weeks pregnant. The results were published in theAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Nicolaides explains, “I have been researching this subject for the past 20 years, and this study offers us a very positive breakthrough. This implies that we are able to detect 99% of trisomy 21 cases, rather than the current 90% ”.

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