Amniocentesis is also called amniotic fluid or AFT. It is a medical procedure and is used diagnosis of any genetic risks. The process involves extracting a small quantity of amniotic fluid. This fluid contains tissues of the fetus and is taken out from the amniotic sac that surrounds the growing fetus. The DNA of the fetus is examined for any abnormalities in its genes. Amniocentesis is usually done for fetus having higher risk of defects like genetic defects of the family or mother’s age.

Procedure

The process involves inserting a syringe through the walls of the abdomen of the mother or through the vaginal opening to the uterus and amniotic sac. With the help of ultrasound a doctor is able to locate the precise area from where amniotic fluid can be extracted for testing. The puncture in the abdomen heals after a few days and the amniotic liquid is replenished automatically. After extraction of the fluid, the cells of the fetus are separated with the help of a centrifuge. The chromosomes of the cells are inspected for abnormalities. There may be various genetic testing but the most common abnormality tests are for Trisomy 18, Down’s syndrome and spina bifida. It is possible to perform Amniocentesis when the amount of amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus is sufficient to be extracted safely. This process should not be done earlier than the 14th week. Apart from the genetic diseases that can be detected other non-genetic diseases can also be detected by this process. Other health problems like hydrocephalus can be detected by measuring the chemical levels of the fluid. An advantage of this process is that sex determination of the fetus is possible with absolute accuracy. The process is at times used in late pregnancy for assessing the maturity of the lungs of the baby and making sure that the baby can breathe on its own. It is also used for paternity testing. In paternity testing the genes of the father and the baby are compared for determining paternity.

Risks

Though Amniocentesis is a routine procedure there may be complications like amniotic sac infection and improper healing of the puncture. These may lead to infection or leakage. If there is serious complication miscarriage is possible. Other complication includes respiratory distress, labor and delivery before the term, postural deformities, trauma of the fetus and alloimmunisation.

Reasons of testing

The reasons for testing vary among different persons. Some people may peruse the test for potential interventions for example fetal surgery. Some people may want to begin planning early keeping in mind the special needs of the child. Identifying resources and support groups is another reason for performing this test. Some people may not choose to test as they do not want to harm the baby developing in the uterus.