The majority of pregnancies are problem-free. Fortunately, most children come into the world in perfect health. Screenings during pregnancy and shortly after birth can identify any complications, diseases or disorders at an early stage, whereupon treatment can be offered. A screening during pregnancy is termed ‘prenatal’; that after birth is termed ‘postnatal’ and together they are known as ‘perinatal’ screenings.

A population screening programme is a systematic offer of medical examinations for a specific disease to a population of apparently healthy and asymptomatic individuals. The programmes are intended to identify diseases at an early stage so that prompt treatment can be given. In the case of prenatal screenings, parents are informed about the health of their expected child and on the available options.At a certain point in their lives, all Dutch citizens are invited to participate in one of the national screening programmes. The State initiates, facilitates and finances the three cancer screening programmes and six pre- and neonatal population screening programmes.