Clinical and economic impact of genome-wide non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as a first-tier screening method compared to targeted NIPT and first-trimester combined testing: A modeling study.

backgroundEvidence on the diagnostic yield of genome-wide non-invasive prenatal testing (GW-NIPT) is growing, but its comparative clinical and economic impact as a first-tier screening strategy for fetal chromosomal abnormalities remains unassessed. We compared GW-NIPT with targeted NIPT and first-trimester combined testing (FCT), in a Dutch setting where all pregnancies also undergo a routine second-trimester anomaly ultrasound scan (scan), to guide policymakers on optimal prenatal screening approaches. METHODS AND

findingsWe developed a decision-analytic model for a cohort of 175,000 pregnancies, reflecting the Dutch obstetric population. All strategies screened for common trisomies 21 (Down syndrome), 18 (Edwards syndrome), and 13 (Patau syndrome); GW-NIPT additionally considered rare autosomal trisomies and structural aberrations. Model inputs were based on the TRIDENT-2 study data and historical FCT data. Base-case unit costs were €166 (scan), €191 (FCT), and €350 (NIPT). Sensitivity analyses were conducted to account for uncertainties in model parameters and potential country-specific variations. Outcomes included total screening costs, number of fetal chromosomal abnormalities diagnosed, number of invasive procedures, and expected procedure-related euploid fetal losses. We summarized economic results as cost per diagnosed case and incremental cost per additional diagnosis across strategies. GW-NIPT yielded the highest number of diagnoses (545) versus targeted NIPT (514) and FCT (452), and the lowest cost per diagnosed case (€152,785), compared with targeted NIPT (€159,852) and FCT (€170,050). Invasive tests required per diagnosis were lower for GW-NIPT and targeted NIPT (both 6) than for FCT (13), implying a lower risk of procedure-related miscarriage (iatrogenic miscarriage). Sensitivity analyses indicated that test uptake and unit costs strongly influenced outcomes. GW-NIPT remained the most favorable in terms of cost per diagnosis for NIPT prices up to €467. Key limitations include the use of a decision-analytic model without quality-of-life outcomes and the lack of comparisons against explicit cost-effectiveness thresholds. Therefore, the results should be interpreted as relative clinical and economic comparisons rather than cost-effectiveness judgements.

conclusionsAmong the strategies evaluated, first-tier GW-NIPT had the greatest diagnostic yield and the lowest cost per diagnosis, improving detection rates and supporting reproductive autonomy at lower costs. Implementation decisions should also consider local pricing, laboratory capacity, and counseling resources. Future research that links screening outcomes to long-term health consequences (e.g., quality-adjusted life years or life-years), healthcare utilization, costs, and psychosocial outcomes will enable formal cost-effectiveness evaluations and support further refinement of prenatal screening policy.