AMNIOCENTESIS

- AANYA CHOUDHARY
XII SCIENCE
 WHAT IS AMNIOCENTESIS ?
 It is a process by which chromosomal abnormalities can
be detected in unborn children. This basically involves
testing the amniotic fluid inside the amniotic sac, as this
contains birth matter that can indicate if the foetus has
any chromosome abnormalities.
 During pregnancy, the foetus grows inside the amniotic
sac. Amniotic fluid surrounds and protects the fetus
inside the amniotic sac. It also contains some of the
foetus's cells. These cells contain genetic information
that helps diagnose genetic conditions.
Amniocentesis is not a compulsory test, it is simply
something that is offered to the pregnant woman as a
precaution. Especially in cases where there is a medical
history of problems like spina bifida and other congenital
problems, it is always advisable for the foetus to be tested
for any problems or defects that can arise after birth.
 WHO GETS AMNIOCENTESIS ?

Doctors recommend amniocentesis during pregnancy

when:
Ultrasound testing detects a fetal abnormality.

A prenatal screening test detects an increased risk for a chromosome

disorder.

Certain genetic disorders (such as sickle cell disease or cystic fibrosis)

run in your family or you test positive as a carrier of a genetic disorder.

You’re older than 35 at the time of delivery. This is because individuals

over 35 have a higher chance of having a baby with a chromosomal
disorder.
 WHAT DOES AMNIOCENTESIS TEST FOR ?

An amniocentesis test can detect chromosomal, genetic disorders or

congenital disabilities such as:
a) Down syndrome.
b) Tay- sachs disease
c) Turner’s syndrome
• Neural tube defects such as Spina Bifida or anencephaly.
This test can also evaluate:
• Fetal lung development: This is helpful if you need to give birth sooner than
expected to protect the health of you or the fetus.
• Rh disease: This is a potentially serious condition where you and the fetus have
different blood Rh types.
• Amniocentesis is sometimes used to treat polyhydramnios (when you have too
much amniotic fluid). Providers use amniocentesis to remove excess fluid.
It can also be used for detecting the sex of the baby.
 WHEN IS AMNIOCENTESIS PERFORMED?
 Most amniocentesis procedures
happen between 15 and 20 weeks of
gestation (during the second trimester of
pregnancy). Having an amniocentesis
earlier in pregnancy poses more risks,
such as miscarriage.

In some cases, healthcare providers

perform amniocentesis tests later in
pregnancy. If your provider recommends
this test to check fetal lung development
or treat polyhydramnios, it will likely
happen during the third trimester.
 PROCEDURE
An obstetrician or perinatologist performs amniocentesis. During this
procedure, the healthcare provider:
Cleans a small area on your belly with an antiseptic (to kill germs).
Applies a special gel on your belly.
Moves a wand-like device over the gel to capture ultrasound
images of the fetus on a nearby monitor.
Inserts a thin, hollow needle through your abdomen and uterus
(into the amniotic sac but away from the fetus).
Removes a small amount of fluid through the needle.
Removes the needle from your abdomen.
Monitors the fetal heartbeat and movement on the ultrasound to
ensure they weren’t affected by the procedure.
After the procedure, your healthcare provider sends the
amniotic fluid sample to a lab. The lab separates the fetal cells
from the amniotic fluid then analyzes the cells. The cells grow
for several days in the lab before being tested for genetic
conditions or neural tube defects. You should have complete
test results in about two weeks.
 WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF
AMNIOCENTESIS ?
Most amniocentesis procedures are safe. But
amniocentesis does present small but serious
risks for both mother and the foetus.
Some complications of amniocentesis are:

• Cramping.
• Bleeding or leaking amniotic fluid.
• Injury or infection.
• Loss of the pregnancy.
• Premature labor.
Complications from amniocentesis are rare. In
less than 1% of cases, amniocentesis leads
to miscarriage or early delivery. About 2% of
people have spotting or camping after
amniocentesis.
 HOW AMNIOCENTESIS IS MISUSED ?

Amniocentesis can also be used to detect the sex of the

unborn baby, which is why it is misused in many parts
of the world. It is the major cause for the increase in
number of female foeticides in the world,especially
India.
We know that amniocentesis was developed to conduct
genetic testing and for the diagnosis of any foetal
defects or infections during the pregnancy. Instead,
people tried to misuse the technology by bribing
doctors to know the gender of the developing child in
the mother’s womb.
It has led to sex selective abortions and a decline in the
child sex ratio.
 FEMALE FOETICIDES IN INDIA
 In India a boy is preferred over a girl and daughters are
considered a burden on the family and this belief has led to
the practice of female foeticide in many parts of the
country. Girl babies are killed due to various religious and
cultural beliefs.
 Maharashtra , Haryana, Delhi, Bihar , Chandigarh have a
very low child sex ratio.
 Nearly 4.6 crore (45.8 million) females are 'missing' in
Indian demography in the year 2020, mainly due to pre and
post-birth sex selection practices stemming from son
preference and gender inequality, a recently released
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) report has said.
 India accounts for almost one-third (32.1 per cent) of the
total 142.6 million missing females in the world and is the
second highest contributor. The biggest contributor is China
at 72.3 million (7.2 crore) 'missing females' that is 50.7 per
cent of all missing females in the world.
 STEPS TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO
STOP the misuse of AMNIOCENTESIS

• It was banned in India around 1994 under the

Pre-Conception and Prenatal Diagnostic
Techniques Act, which is an Act of the
Parliament of India enacted to stop female
foeticides and improve the declining sex ratio in
India.
• To promote girl child various programs have
been introduced by the government like :

 ‘ Beti Bachao , Beti Padhao ’

 Free education for the girl child.
CONCLUSION