This website provides information on the pre- and neonatal screening tests available in the Netherlands:

• The standard blood test for pregnant women around the 12th week of pregnancy. The blood is tested for rhesus D factor, irregular erythrocyte antibodies (IEA) and a number of infectious diseases.

• Prenatal screening for Down’s syndrome between the 9th and 14th weeks of pregnancy, and the 20-week ultrasound.

• Newborn blood spot screening for 17 rare but serious disorders, in the 1st week after birth.

• Newborn hearing screening, usually performed at the same time as the heel prick test.

This website is intended for international colleagues who wish to learn more about the situation in the Netherlands, and offers English-language information about such topics as screening policy and the organisation and execution of screening programmes.

RIVM Centre for Population Screening
This website was developed by the Centre for Population Screening (CPS) of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). The CPS directs and coordinates the national screening programmes on the instructions of the national government. The actual screening tests are performed by a chain of cooperating organisations. Thanks to the joint efforts of these organisations and professionals involved, the screening programmes make a real contribution to improving public health.