Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis (also referred to as amniotic fluid test or AFT), is a medical procedure used in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections [1], in which a small amount of amniotic fluid, which contains fetal tissues, is extracted from the amnion or amniotic sac surrounding a developing fetus, and the fetal DNA is examined for genetic abnormalities.

Procedure

Before the start of the procedure, a local anesthetic can be given to the mother in order to relieve the pain felt during the insertion of the needle used to withdraw the fluid. After the local is in effect, a needle is usually inserted through the mother's abdominal wall, then through the wall of the uterus, and finally into the amniotic sac. With the aid of ultrasound-guidance, a physician punctures the sac in an area away from the fetus and extracts approximately 20 ml of amniotic fluid. After the amniotic fluid is extracted, the fetal cells are separated from the sample. The cells are grown in a culture medium, then fixed and stained. Under a microscope the chromosomes are examined for abnormalities. The most common abnormalities detected are Down syndrome, Edward syndrome (trisomy 18) and Turner syndrome (monosomy X). In regards to the fetus, the puncture heals and the amniotic sac replenishes the liquid over the next 24–48 hours.

Indications & results

Early in pregnancy, used for diagnosis of chromosomal and other fetal problems such as:

Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21)

Trisomy 13

Trisomy 18

Fragile X

Rare, inherited metabolic disorders

Neural tube defects (anencephaly and spina bifida) by alpha-fetoprotein levels.

Later on, it also can be used to detect problems such as:

Infection

Rh incompatibility

prediction of lung maturity

decompression of polyhydramnios

An emerging indication for amniocentesis is in the management of preterm rupture of membranes where measurement of certain amniotic fluid inflammatory markers may be helpful. If amniotic fluid IL-6, a marker of inflammation, is elevated, the fetus is at high risk and delivery should be considered. 

Risks and drawbacks

Amniocentesis is performed between the 15th-20th week of pregnancy; performing this test early can lead to injury to the baby's limbs. Most people do the test during the 18th week of pregnancy. The term "early amniocentesis" is sometimes used to describe use of the process between weeks 11 and 13. Approximately 6 percent of pregnant women take or consider taking the amniocentesis test.

Although the procedure is routine, and almost 70% of women who undergo the test report little to no discomfort[6], possible complications include infection of the amniotic sac from the needle, and failure of the puncture to heal properly, which can result in leakage or infection. Serious complications can result in miscarriage. Other possible complications include preterm labor and delivery, respiratory distress, postural deformities, fetal trauma and alloimmunisation of the mother (rhesus disease). Studies from the 1970s originally estimated the risk of amniocentesis-related miscarriage at around 1 in 200 (0.5%).A more recent study (2006) has indicated this may actually be much lower, perhaps as low as 1 in 1,600 (0.06%). In contrast, the risk of miscarriage from chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is believed to be approximately 1 in 100, although CVS may be done up to four weeks earlier, and may be preferable if the possibility of genetic defects is thought to be higher.

One simple drawback is that administration may be painful.

Amniotic fluid embolism has been described as a possible risk.

Amniocentesis and stem cells

Recent studies have discovered that amniotic fluid can be a rich source of multipotent mesenchymal, hematopoietic, neural, epithelial and endothelial stem cells.

A potential benefit of using amniotic stem cells over those obtained from embryos is that they side-step ethical concerns among pro-life activists by obtaining pluripotent lines of undifferentiated cells without harm to a fetus or destruction of an embryo.

Artificial heart valves, working tracheas, as well as muscle, fat, bone, heart, neural and liver cells have all been engineered through use of amniotic stem cells. Tissues obtained from amniotic cell lines show promise for patients suffering from congenital diseases/malformations of the heart, liver, lungs, kidneys, and cerebral tissue.

The first amniotic stem cells bank in US is active in Boston, Massachusetts.

(source:wikipedia)