Amniocentesis is a procedure which involves extracting amniotic fluid from around the foetus to detect any serious or potentially serious disorders in the unborn child.
If a problem with the unborn baby is discovered, it may be possible to treat the disorder while it is still in the womb. If a serious abnormality is detected, the parents are given a chance to decide if they wish to continue with the pregnancy or terminate it.
Amniocentesis is usually offered in the following situations:
 If the mother is over 35
If the mother has previously had a child with a birth defect
If the family history suggests a disorder may be likely
If a previous test has shown that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in the blood are abnormal. A high level of AFP suggests a neural tube defect like spina bifida, while a low level suggests a chromosome abnormality like Downs syndrome.
If a parent is a carrier of a disease which has a greater likelihood of affecting one particular gender (Duchenne muscular dystrophy is more likely to occur in boys than girls). In these cases amniocentesis allows the sex of the baby to be determined.
If the blood group of the foetus needs to be determined because it might be affected by Rhesus disease which can cause anaemia, jaundice, or even death soon after birth.
May 2011 | 
Amniocentesis Introduction
