Prenatal Diagnosis
Prenatal diagnosis; is a method of testing fetuses during pregnancy for different diseases in accordance with the week of gestation.
Prenatal diagnosis done for the baby who is still in the womb; enables the detection of various structural and chromosomal abnormalities of the baby. Some examples of these are:
Severe growth retardation and oligohydramnios,
Polyhydramnios NIHF (non immune hydrops fetalis),
Cystic Hygroma,
Unilateral pleural effusion,
Choroid Plexus;
Hydrocephalus,
Nuchal Edema,
Omphalocele
Duodenal Atresia,
Cardiac abnormality
Obstructive Uropathy
These situations; require chromosome analysis during pregnancy. Prenatal diagnosis is especially important in order to make correct and necessary decisions according to the results obtained during early pregnancy.
By learning important health conditions related to their babies; the family can decide on the continuation or termination of pregnancy within the framework of personal, social and ethical principles. On the other hand, they are vitally important diagnostic methods that provide early measures for treatments that should be started immediately after birth.
To Which Mother Pregnant Women Should Prenatal Definitive Diagnosis Be Performed?
Examples of groups that may be recommended to undergo invasive procedures, in other words definitive diagnosis method for chromosomal diseases in pregnancy, are given below;
Pregnant women for whom the risk is detected in screening tests such as double, triple and quadruple tests,
Pregnant women with a detected structural anomaly in detailed fetal ultrasonography,
Pregnant women with detected marker (marker) or markers that will significantly increase the risk of chromosomal anomaly in detailed fetal ultrasonography,
Pregnant women with birth history of chromosomal anomaly baby in previous pregnancy,
Chromosomal anomaly carrier in the prospective mother or father
Or simply the expectant mother’s request for a definitive diagnosis or her anxiety.
Which Prenatal Diagnostic Tests Can Be Performed at Which Week of Gestation?
Diagnostic methods vary according to the week of gestation. Chorionic villus sampling to be applied accordingly; is applied between the 11th and 14th weeks of pregnancy.
If deemed necessary by the doctor, it can be applied in the 2nd or 3rd month of pregnancy. On the other hand, Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic test that can be applied as from the 16th week of pregnancy.
The sample taken from the amniotic fluid provides serious and precise information about the health status of the baby. With cordocentesis, cord blood is taken by entering the umbilical cord after the 20th week of pregnancy and genetic examination is possible.