Amniocentesis
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Amniocentesis, also known as amniotic fluid testing or AFT, is a diagnostic or therapeutic medical procedure primarily used in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections.
A small amount of amniotic fluid (15-20 ml), which contains fetal tissue, is extracted from the amniotic sac surrounding a developing fetus, and the fetal DNA is examined for genetic abnormalities. It is usually performed under ultrasound guidance and is performed between the 15th-20th week of pregnancy. If performed after 20 weeks it is often termed a late amniocentesis.
Indications
- prenatal genetic studies
- assessment of fetal lung maturity
- TORCH infection or chorioamnionitis
- haemoglobinopathies and degree of hemolytic anaemia
- blood or platelet type
- neural tube defects
- therapeutic amniocentesis: to remove excess amniotic fluid in symptomatic polyhydramnios or twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
Potential risks
- infection or injury to the fetus
- miscarriage: pregnancy loss ~1% 2
- leakage of amniotic fluid: 1-2% 2
- chorioamniotic separation
- vaginal bleeding
See also
-<a title="Haemoglobinopathies" href="/articles/haemoglobinopathies">haemoglobinopathies</a> and degree of hemolytic anaemia</li>- +<a href="/articles/haemoglobinopathies">haemoglobinopathies</a> and degree of hemolytic anaemia</li>
-<li>therapeutic amniocentesis: to remove excess amniotic fluid in symptomatic polyhydramnios or twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome</li>- +<li>
- +<a title="Therapeutic amniocentesis" href="/articles/amnioreduction">therapeutic amniocentesis</a>: to remove excess amniotic fluid in symptomatic polyhydramnios or twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome</li>
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