Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic test used to detect genetic conditions like Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21), Thalassemia, and other chromosomal abnormalities. It involves taking a small sample of amniotic fluid from around the baby.

It is a specialized prenatal diagnostic procedure. During pregnancy, your baby is surrounded and protected by amniotic fluid. This fluid contains valuable genetic cells and vital proteins shed by the developing baby.

By carefully extracting a tiny sample of this fluid, our laboratory can analyze your baby’s chromosomes. Doctors typically recommend this test between the 15th and 20th week of pregnancy to accurately detect chromosomal abnormalities (such as Down Syndrome, Edwards Syndrome, or Patau Syndrome), genetic disorders (like Thalassemia or Cystic Fibrosis), or neural tube defects. Unlike routine screening ultrasounds that only give a “probability,” this test provides a definitive, medical diagnosis to help you plan your pregnancy with confidence.