What Expecting Parents Need to Know About Fetal Chromosome Testing If you had the option to determine the risk of your baby being born with a chromosomal disorder, would you? With fetal chromosome testing, doctors can detect the number of chromosomes present. Presence of abnormal number of chromosomes can cause severe problem in the fetus. Here’s what you need to know
What is Fetal Chromosome Testing? To detect a chromosomal abnormality in your developing baby, you can opt for a fetal chromosome test during your first trimester. This screening test was created to pinpoint any abnormality, which could result in your baby being born with a chromosomal disorder. Common chromosomal disorders the test can detect include Down syndrome, Edward syndrome or Patau syndrome. Of late single gene disorders can also be detected.
How is Fetal Chromosome Testing Performed? One of the biggest benefits to fetal chromosome testing is how quickly the test is performed. By drawing a blood sample from the mother, which takes less than 10 minutes, labs can provide your results in as little as two weeks.
What Does Testing Look For? A fetal chromosome screen, identifies the risk for your baby being born with a chromosomal/genetic disorder that could affect them physically, mentally or emotionally. Earlier tests that measures the nuchal translucency, hCG, and PAPP-A levels used proxy markers to screen for chromosomal disorders
What do the Results Mean? If you do receive positive results from your first trimester screen, you can discuss what options you have with a genetic counselor moving forward. The early you screen for these disorders, the more time you have to make decisions. Positive results also do not necessarily mean that your baby will be born with an abnormality, it means further testing needs to be performed to determine your risks.
What are the Risks? Unless you are squeamish when it comes to blood, or aren’t great at getting your blood drawn, there really are no risks to the mother and baby. More invasive tests, such as a CVS or amniocentesis, present the risk of miscarriage, but this risk is not associated with non invasive fetal chromosome testing. However, there is a small chance that the test could result in a false positive which can be clarified with further testing. If you have questions about the genetic health of your baby, discuss your options with your doctor. He or she may suggest fetal chromosome testing to ease any anxieties about your baby’s health and development.