Amniocentesis: The test that can detect many diseases in the child before birth

Childbirth is very precious for parents. Everybody tries to take care of a pregnant mother to get a healthy baby. Many diseases in children are preventable if detected before birth. Today, we are talking about a test that a pregnant mother must take to diagnose many diseases in an unborn child. This test is called Amniocentesis.

The foetus grows in the amniotic fluid, so some cells of the foetus mix with the amniotic fluid. The aforementioned test is done to analyze genetic defects and abnormalities such as Down syndrome, thalassemia, sickle cell disease and other diseases. Examination of these cells reveals some important and useful information about the health of the feet.

Who should take this test?

There are many factors that can make a foetus more susceptible to being born with genetic defects. It can cause anxiety to parents if not tested in advance. Below are some factors that increase the risk of genetic conditions:

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If the age of the pregnant woman is more than 35.
If there is a history of genetic conditions in the family such as thalassemia, sickle cell disease.
If the sonography test detects certain abnormalities that are associated with chromosomal anomalies of the feet.
If the woman has previously had a child with a major genetic defect.

How amniocentesis is done?

The test is done during the second trimester of pregnancy, between the 16^th and 24^th weeks of pregnancy. With the help of an ultrasound, the doctor puts an injection into the abdomen to reach the amniotic fluid. A portion of the fluid is taken out and then sent to the laboratory for further testing.

It is safe and has rarely been reported to be a painful procedure. There are 1 to 3 in 1000 cases of complications related to amniocentesis. One can decide which genetic condition is needed to be tested.

Helps in decision making:

If the result puts your baby at risk of being born with a genetic condition, there are steps you can take to take further tests to get more confirmed results. You can consult a doctor if you decide to terminate the pregnancy. The chronic condition of an unborn baby causes constant worry for the parents. These tests help reduce these concerns to some extent.