Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Why should it be done? of Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is a method of detecting serious or potentially serious disorders in the unborn child.

It sometimes provides the opportunity for early treatment of the disorder while the baby remains in the womb.If a serious abnormality is detected, amniocentesis gives parents the option of deciding whether or not they want to have a child that will have one of these disorders, or whether they would prefer the pregnancy to be terminated at that early stage.

Testing is offered to all pregnant women, but is especially helpful if there is a higher than usual chance of serious disorder:

• If the mother is over 35.
• If AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) levels in the blood are higher or lower than normal (a higher level suggests neural tube defects such as spina bifida, while a lower level suggest a chromosome abnormality such as Down’s syndrome.
• If the mother has had a previous child with a birth defect.
• If there is family history that suggests a disorder may be likely.

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