AMNIOCENTOSIS -

1. Transabdominal aspiration of fluid from the amniotic sac of the foetus is called amniocentesis .
2. It is prenatal diagonestic technique to determine genetic disorders if any of the foetus.
3. It's mis use is to determine sex & kill undesired foetus (mainly female).

Procedure -

1. At an early stage of pregnancy (14th or 15th week) location of feotus is determined by sonography. Then a small amount of amniotic fluid is drawn by passing a special surgical syringe needle through the abdominal wall into the amniotic sac containing amniotic fluid.
2. Cells that have sloughed from the foetus's skin or respiratory tract into fluid are sucked into the syringe.
3. These cells can be examined for chromosomal abnormalities cells may be cultured for tracing phenylketonurea & sickle cell anaemia.