amniocentesis
Pronunciation: am-nee-oh-sen-TEE-sis
A prenatal diagnostic procedure involving needle insertion through the abdomen to extract amniotic fluid for genetic testing.
Full Definition
Amniocentesis is an invasive prenatal diagnostic procedure typically performed between 15-20 weeks of pregnancy. A thin needle is inserted through the maternal abdomen and uterine wall to extract a small amount of amniotic fluid containing fetal cells. This fluid is analyzed for chromosomal abnormalities, genetic disorders, and neural tube defects. The procedure carries a small risk of miscarriage and is usually offered when there is increased risk of fetal abnormalities based on maternal age, family history, or abnormal screening results.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase unless beginning a sentence. Often abbreviated as 'amnio' in informal clinical notes.
In Context
- "The patient elected to undergo amniocentesis after receiving abnormal results from her quad screen." — Medical record documentation
- "Amniocentesis revealed trisomy 21, confirming the suspected Down syndrome diagnosis." — Laboratory report