In early 2008, the Ministry of Health Services provided funding to create a BC Prenatal Genetic Screening Program (part of PHSA’s BC Perinatal Health Program). The mandate of the new BC Prenatal Genetic Screening Program is to oversee prenatal screening for Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and open neural tube defects across the province. The goal is a centralized, coordinated system to guide prenatal genetic screening across the province, measure outcomes, evaluate and disseminate new evidence/knowledge, and provide educational and informational materials to women and health care providers. Funding was also made available to improve prenatal screening by introducing newer screens with increased detection rates and fewer false positive rates.
These changes are reflected in the new January 2010 Guideline: Prenatal Screening for Down Syndrome, Trisomy 18 and Open Neural Tube Defects. The new guideline is being progressively implemented as nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound capacity develops throughout the province.
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