Prenatal diagnosis in Belgium

Prenatal diagnoses (PND) in Belgium are performed exclusively in licensed centres of medical genetics linked to university hospitals. These centres of genetics provide comprehensive genetic services which include, in addition to genetic tests, genetic counselling and moral support. These services are accessible to all residents in Belgium through coverage by the social security. PND has become a widely accepted procedure by the public and the health professionals, and has achieved significant prevention of birth defects, mainly chromosome abnormalities. The main problems involved in PND in Belgium are (1) the lack of regulations about indications for PND and (2) insufficient education in medical genetics in medical schools. It is hoped that the basic organisation of PND in Belgium will prevail in the future, with the proposed improvements.