What is amniocentesis How useful this technique is Why is it used for identification of the sex of the unborn ed child banned in India?

this isn't initially used to determine the sex of the baby but to detect defects and other problems that may occur with the feotus, although the sex of the baby can be determined during this proceidure its not used for that purpose as it can lead to miscarriage

WHAT IS AMNIOCENTESIS?

Amniocentesis is a prenatal test that allows the healthcare practitioner to gather information about the baby's health and development from a sample of the mother's amniotic fluid. This is the fluid that surrounds the baby in the uterus.

USEFULNESS OF AMNIOCENTESIS

• Nearly all chromosomal disorders, including 0 welcoming, trisomy 13, trisomy 18, and sex chromosome abnormalities (such as Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome). Amniocentesis is more than 99 percent accurate in diagnosing these conditions.

• Several hundred genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and Tay-Sachs disease. The test is not used to look for all of them, but if your baby is at increased risk for one or more of these disorders, in most cases amniocentesis can usually tell you whether he has the disease

• Neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly.

The most common reason to have an "amnio" is to determine whether a baby has a genetic disorder or a chromosomal abnormality, such as 0 welcoming. Only amniocentesis or 0 chorionic can diagnose these problems in the womb.

WHAT IT CANNOT DETECT

Amniocentesis does not detect birth defects such as heart malformations or a cleft lip or palate. However, many structural defects can be picked up on the second-trimester ultrasound that's routinely done for every woman having an amnio.

WHEN IS IT DONE?

Amniocentesis is usually done when a woman is between 16 and 20 weeks pregnant. Women who choose to have this test are primarily those at increased risk for genetic and chromosomal problems, in part because the test is invasive and carries a small risk of 0 understanding.

WHY IS IT BANNED

The widespread use of illegal tests to determine the sex of an unborn child is fuelling a rise in female foeticide cases in India, social activists and officials have said.

Sex determination tests through techniques such as ultrasonography and amniocentesis are banned in India, but female foetuses are still commonly killed in some regions where a preference for sons runs deep.

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