adSep 22, 2026, 13:03

Health Council advises against structural 13-week ultrasound

The Health Council of the Netherlands has advised against permanently implementing the 13-week prenatal ultrasound due to high rates of false positives and missed diagnoses. Although the screening will continue under a research framework until 2028, officials cited concerns that the procedure's current reliability does not justify its structural adoption.

The Health Council of the Netherlands has advised against the permanent implementation of the 13-week prenatal ultrasound, citing concerns over diagnostic accuracy. Recent research conducted at the request of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport found that the screening often produces false positive results, leading to unnecessary follow-up examinations for expectant parents. Additionally, the study noted that many fetal anomalies were missed during these early screenings, suggesting the procedure does not currently offer a reliable benefit to outweigh its drawbacks.

Between 2021 and 2022, nearly 130,000 such ultrasounds were performed, with 775 cases identified as false positives. While the Health Council previously advocated for this early screening, updated data shows that the test frequently failed to reach required standards. Despite this recommendation, Minister Sophie Hermans stated that the ultrasound will remain available under a research framework until at least January 1, 2028, to ensure continuity in the medical field while the government reviews the findings further.

Health Netherlands

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Based on reporting by ad. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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