Medical Encyclopedia

Medical Encyclopedia

Amniocentesis - series: Indication

 Indication

Amniocentesis - series
Illustrations:

  • Indication
  • Procedure, part 1
  • Procedure, part 2
  • Results
  • When you are about 15 weeks pregnant, your doctor may offer amniocentesis. Amniocentesis is a test that detects or rules out certain inherited disorders in a fetus. It also assesses lung maturity to see if the fetus can endure an early delivery. You can also find out the baby's gender.

    Doctors generally offer amniocentesis to women with an increased risk of having a baby with particular disorders, including those who:

    Doctors also offer amniocentesis to women with pregnancy complications, such as Rh-incompatibility, that necessitate early delivery.

    Update Date: 2/19/2008

    Updated by: Peter Chen, MD, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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