Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing in Croatia: A Decade of Insights
Author Information
Author(s): Podobnik Petra, Meštrović Tomislav, Đorđević Aida, Kurdija Kristian, Jelčić Dženis, Ogrin Nina, Bertović-Žunec Ivan, Gebauer-Vuković Beata, Hočevar Grega, Lončar Igor, Srebreniković Zlata, Trobina Petra, Bitenc Marko, Dumić-Čule Ivo
Primary Institution: Podobnik Special Hospital
Hypothesis
What are the usage patterns and outcomes of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for chromosomal abnormalities in Croatia over the past decade?
Conclusion
The study shows that NIPT has become more efficient and accessible in Croatia, with significant reductions in turnaround times and the average age of women undergoing testing.
Supporting Evidence
- The average age of women undergoing NIPT decreased from 36.1 years in 2013 to 33.01 years in 2023.
- The mean turnaround time for NIPT dropped from 12.44 days in 2013 to 7.08 days in 2023.
- 39 chromosomal abnormalities were detected, with 59% being trisomy 21.
- 12.5% of participants achieved pregnancy through in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
- 9.09% of women had undergone prior screening before NIPT.
Takeaway
This study looked at how many pregnant women in Croatia are using a special blood test to check for baby health issues over the last ten years, and it found that the test is getting faster and more popular.
Methodology
This retrospective, monocentric observational study evaluated NIPT usage patterns, test choices, turnaround times, and outcomes from 2013 to 2023.
Potential Biases
Using data from a private healthcare facility may introduce selection bias.
Limitations
The study is monocentric and may not be generalizable to other healthcare settings or populations.
Participant Demographics
Participants were pregnant women aged 18 to 49, with a mean age of 35.4 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.0287
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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