WHAT IS AMNIOCENTESIS? #Amniocentesis is an outpatient procedure performed in the Medical Imaging Department for #prenatal diagnosis to detect #chromosomal abnormalities such as Down’s syndrome (a genetic cause of mental retardation) and Spina Bifida (birth defect). This procedure provides safe and direct access into the amniotic cavity to obtain specimen/samples for analysis. This is indicated for all pregnant women whose maternal age is about 35 years or above and for those women with a history of a child with Down’s syndrome and/or whose husband (baby’s father) has a family history of genetic problems. WHEN AND HOW IS AMNIOCENTESIS PERFORMED? Amniocentesis is normally performed between 15-16 weeks of pregnancy under ultrasound guidance to identify a fluid pocket free of fetal parts and umbilical cord. Your abdomen is cleaned with an antiseptic and your doctor may administer local anesthesia to numb the area where he is going to introduce the needle. Under sterile conditions the needle is advanced into the amniotic space using ultrasound visualization 5-30 ml (cc) of amniotic fluid is withdrawn. This fluid is replaced within a few hours. ahdubai/medservices/specialty.aspx?spl_id=12
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 05:05:00 +0000
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