#Amniocentesis
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When to do amniocentesis
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Why amniocentesis is performed
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Indications of amniocentesis
- Risks of Down Syndrome
When to do amniocentesis
The amniocentesis procedure is usually done between the 16th and 18th week gestation.
Why amniocentesis is performed
Amniocentesis serves to know the number of chromosomes in the fetus and to detect possible abnormalities in the fetus. The most commonly sought syndrome is Down syndrome. On the other hand, the exam is not able to determine malformations in the organs and mental retardation.
Indications of amniocentesis
The main indication for performing amniocentesis is pregnant age. The older the woman, the greater the risk that the fetus will suffer from some change in its chromosomes, especially Down’s Syndrome.
Risks of Down Syndrome
In pregnant women up to 25 years old, the risk is 1 in 1,250. This rate rises to 1 in 274 for pregnant women under 35 and reaches 1 in 79 in women over 40. Because of this, many countries adopt the age of 35 years as a basis for indicating amniocentesis. In addition, anyone who has children with chromosomal changes or when a parent has any of these changes should also be tested.
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