amniocentesis

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 15-20 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
• hemoglobinopathies and degree of hemolytic anemia
• 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%
• leakage of amniotic fluid: 1-2%
• chorioamniotic separation
• vaginal bleeding

See also

• chorionic villus sampling
• therapeutic amniocentesis

Siehe auch:

• chorioamniotic separation
• chromosomale Anomalien
• in utero infection
• Fehlgeburt
• chorionic villus sampling
• therapeutic amniocentesis

und weiter:

• nuchal translucency
• antenatal screening
• amnioreduction
• amnion