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Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic procedure performed between the 14th and 16th week of pregnancy to detect chromosomal abnormalities, infections, and other fetal conditions by sampling amniotic fluid. The procedure involves inserting a needle into the amniotic sac under ultrasound guidance, and it is recommended for mothers over 35 or with a family history of genetic disorders. While generally safe, it carries risks such as fetal trauma, infection, and miscarriage.

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2K views6 pages

Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic procedure performed between the 14th and 16th week of pregnancy to detect chromosomal abnormalities, infections, and other fetal conditions by sampling amniotic fluid. The procedure involves inserting a needle into the amniotic sac under ultrasound guidance, and it is recommended for mothers over 35 or with a family history of genetic disorders. While generally safe, it carries risks such as fetal trauma, infection, and miscarriage.

Uploaded by

nishabhandari751
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Amniocentesis

Introduction
 Amniocentesis (also called as amniotic fluid test or AFT) is a medical
procedure used in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities, fetal
infections, sex-determination, birth defects and lung maturity. It is usually
done between 14th and 16th week of pregnancy. However, it may be used in
the third trimester of pregnancy to check fetal lung maturity and Rh
disease. In this process a small amount of amniotic fluid is sampled from
the amniotic sac.

Note: Amniotic sac contains amniotic fluid which,


 Protects the fetus from injury
 Protects against infection
 Allows the baby to move and develop properly
 Helps control the temperature of the fetus
Procedure
 Local anesthetic is given to the mother in order to relieve pain felt during
the insertion of the needle.

 A needle is inserted through the abdominal wall, then through the wall of
the uterus, and finally into the amniotic sac.

 With the aid of ultrasound guidance an expert punctures the amniotic sac
away from the fetus and extract approximately 20ml. Of amniotic fluid.
 Fetal cells are grown in a suitable culture medium and examined under
microscope for genetic diagnosis.

 Rest of the fluid is used for biochemical diagnosis.


Reasons for Amniocentesis
 If the mother age is 35 or older.

 Family history or previous child with a genetic disease or metabolic


disorder.

 Risk of neural tube defect such as spina bifida.

 Abnormal maternal screening tests, such as maternal alpha fetoprotein


level (AFP).

 Risk of sex-linked genetic diseases.


Risk of an Amniocentesis
 Fetal trauma.

 Bleeding or leaking of amniotic fluid.

 Infection.

 Preterm labor.

 Miscarriage.

 Socio-psychological consequences.

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