Pregnancy

Prenatal diagnostic tests

Chorionic Villus Sampling - CVS
Amnioparacentesis
Fivefold-test

Diagnostic tests determine genetic or chromosomal disorders in the fetus.
It is advised to be done in cases of:

• Maternal age of  35 or more
• Previous pregnancy of fetus with a genetic disorder or family history
• Abnormal ultrasound findings
• High risk pregnancy according to screening tests ( A-test, PAPP-A)
• Parents are known carriers of haemoglobinopathies

Chorionic villus is placental tissue and sample of it can be taken around the 13th week of gestation.
Amniocentesis is the extraction of amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac which surrounds the fetus. This procedure can be done later in pregnancy, around the 18th week of gestation.
These samples contain fetal DNA which is examined for genetic abnormalities.
Both procedures are invasive and there is always a risk for miscarriage. Therefore, we should proceed only in cases where there are strong indications for genetic abnormalities.
The ultimate goal in Genetics is a less invasive procedure, such as the detection of fetal cells into maternal blood in conjunction with fetal MRI scanning and maternal biochemical markers, which is known as Fivefold-test.
Respectively to the great development in IVF treatment, the major advantage is the pre-implantation genetic control.