Down syndrome occurs when a fetus carries three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two copies. Only a test of the fetus' genes can prove if a fetus has Down syndrome, but ultrasound can detect certain characteristic traits associated with it. A 3D...
When prenatal screening identifies features of a genetic syndrome or there is a family history of genetic disease, a woman's health care provider may suggest prenatal genetic testing. Highly accurate, prenatal genetic testing can diagnose a baby's...
A mutation in a person's DNA can cause a disruption in normal function. In some cases, the DNA mutation may not result in any symptoms until the patient has reached adulthood. According to the National Institutes of Health, "genetic tests are...
When prenatal screening identifies features of a genetic syndrome or there is a family history of genetic disease, a woman's health care provider may suggest prenatal genetic testing. Baby's DNA, obtained by chorionic villus sampling--commonly...
Blood pregnancy tests often detect pregnancy earlier than home pregnancy tests, according to the American Pregnancy Association. This makes blood pregnancy tests an attractive pregnancy test option for many women, but this type of test is not for...
Imagine a time when the health of your child was a complete mystery until the day of delivery. Amniocentesis was first developed in the late 1950s as a way of determining the sex of a child but was not used until the 1970s for the diagnosis of...
Most pregnant women will receive at least one ultrasound during the course of their pregnancies. Ultrasounds are not mandatory, however, and there are a number of factors a woman might want to consider before she submits to this routine exam. She...
The use of ultrasound to detect fetal anomalies has become standard in the U.S. Although the increase in diagnostic capability has benefited families in some ways, ultrasound and other diagnostic tools have their limitations. The pairing of...
CVS is an acronym for chorionic villus sampling, a prenatal test in which tissue is taken from an expecting mother's placenta and examined to assess a developing baby's risk for certain genetic defects and chromosomal abnormalities. However,...
The American Pregnancy website claims Down syndrome (Trisomy 21) is the most common birth defect in the United States. Caused by an extra copy of chromosome number 21, there are a handful of symptoms usually identified during the course of routine...
The most common genetic disorder, Down syndrome affects every 1 in 800 to 1000 births. The presence of an extra chromosome 21 causes Down syndrome. The chance of having an affected child increases as a women ages, though in most cases, the mother...
Down syndrome, a congenital chromosomal disorder that causes physical anomalies and developmental delays, affects approximately 1 in 700 to 800 people, the Mayo Clinic reports. People with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome number 21....
The whole of a person's DNA, called the genome, consists of components called nucleotide bases. The bases link together to form a series of base pairs, and the sequence of base pairs codes for thousands of genes required for growth and survival....
Parents often want reassurance that their child is normal before birth. Sometimes, they have specific concerns about genetic diseases that run in their families or that are related to advanced maternal age, such as Down syndrome. Fetal genetic...
DNA testing "can provide information for diagnosing, treating and preventing illness," according to the Mayo Clinic. Screenings can help find genetic disorders before the symptoms of the disorder occur, in adults and fetuses. A blood sample is...
Many women have suspicions early on that they may be pregnant with more than one baby. While the only absolute way to tell for sure you are carrying twins is through an ultrasound, there are some early pregnancy signs that may provide the first...
Women concerned about the health of their babies have several options for screening and diagnostic tests. One common screening test is the AFP test, also called multiple marker screening or quadruple screening. This test, done at 15 to 20 weeks...
Pregnancy is traditionally divided into three trimesters lasting approximately three months each. Since the average pregnancy actually lasts 40 weeks, not nine months, this can sometimes be confusing, according to Penn Medicine. Different doctors...
If you are pregnant, one of the questions you likely hear the most from friends, family or co-workers is whether your baby is a boy or a girl. In the past, you could not find out your baby's gender until birth. Today, however, there are various...
The American Pregnancy Association identifies human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, as the pregnancy hormone. It is produced by the cells that form the placenta and rapidly increases during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Prenatal screening assesses your health and the development of your baby before she is born. The tests help your doctor or midwife diagnose problems with the baby's growth or development early in the pregnancy when interventions are possible. Some...
Down syndrome occurs when an extra copy of the No. 21 chromosome is present in a child's DNA. Also known as Trisomy 21, Down syndrome causes mental retardation as well as physical defects in a person's development, including underdeveloped facial...
The development of a fetus in your uterus is a fascinating process. Your baby is changing and growing rapidly throughout your pregnancy, and at 12 weeks the fetus has reached some important milestones. Understanding the stages of your baby's...
After the eighth week of pregnancy, your developing baby is properly called a fetus. By this time, all of the major organs and structures have formed. According to "Your Pregnancy Week by Week," only 3 percent of all babies are born with major...
Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is the pregnancy hormone. Your doctor may order one of two types of hCG tests. A qualitative hCG test determines if hCG is present in the blood and can confirm pregnancy. A quantitative hCG test, or beta hCG,...
Finding out you are pregnant, especially with your first child, can be an exciting time filled with joy, wonder and apprehension. There is so much to learn, so much to do and so much to look forward to. Caring for yourself and ensuring the health...
Estriol levels are part of a normal prenatal screening schedule for birth defect risks. Coupled with measurement of alpha-fetoprotein, or AFP, human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, and inhibin-A, it can fairly reliably detect increased risk for...
How early you know your unborn baby's gender is a matter of what method you use to determine it. From advanced medical techniques to old wives tales, there are many ways to predict whether you'll be bringing a boy or girl into the world. If you...
If you're pregnant, prenatal testing may seem like a positive thing, a way to check your baby's health and find out whether you're having a boy or girl. While 97 percent of all prenatal tests deliver good news, according to the University of...
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that causes mental retardation. Down syndrome is the most common genetic cause of severe learning disabilities in children. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of down syndrome in this video.
