NIPT reaches 58,000 people in 5 years since its inception

A compilation of data from approximately 82 facilities has revealed that the number of people who underwent NIPT reached about 58,000 over five years, from April 2013 to the end of March 2018. In fiscal year 2017, about 13,000 people underwent the test, which was nearly the same as in fiscal year 2016.

There were 1,038 positive cases (about 1.8% of those tested) and 57,018 negative cases. Of those who were deemed positive and found to have abnormalities through testing, 729 individuals (about 70% of those who tested positive) chose to have an abortion.

The new prenatal test involves drawing blood from pregnant women to check for three types of chromosomal abnormalities, including Down syndrome. With the increasing age of childbirth, the demand for this test is rising. However, because it can lead to abortions, the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology has set requirements such as limiting the test to women aged 35 and over, and it is only allowed in certified facilities. Recently, there have been many cases of the test being conducted at non-certified facilities, and Professor Akihiko Sekizawa of Showa University believes that the actual number of people who have undergone the test is higher than the compiled data suggests.