The 13-week scan will not become a fixed element of the prenatal screening process. This was announced by Minister Sophie Hermans of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport on 12 October 2026 in a Parliamentary Letter. She bases this decision on a scientific study and subsequent advice from the Health Council of the Netherlands. Until 1 January 2028, pregnant women can still opt for the 13-week scan.
13-week scan
The 13-week scan is a medical ultrasound examination that detects physical abnormalities in the unborn child. The objective of the 13-week scan is to detect major physical abnormalities in the child early in the pregnancy.
Scientific study
Since 1 September 2021, pregnant women have been offered the 13-week scan as part of a scientific study, the IMITAS study. This study examined the advantages and disadvantages of the 13-week scan and how pregnant women, partners and care providers experience it. One advantage of the 13-week scan is that parents get information about the health of their unborn child earlier. A disadvantage is that the results were often incorrect, according to the first year of the study.
Advice and decision
On the basis of the study results, the Health Council of the Netherlands issued its advice on the 13-week scan in the Netherlands in September. The Minister has now decided to adopt this advice and not definitively introduce the 13-week scan.
1 January 2028
The 13-week scan will continue to be offered until 1 January 2028. Until then, RIVM and its partners are carefully preparing to discontinue the 13-week scan.