Main Page | Reasons for the Tests | Types of Tests | Talking to Your Doctor | Resource Guide
Prenatal testing is a term that includes many different tests that can be done during pregnancy. The tests are done to provide more information about your health and the health of your developing baby. Prenatal testing includes simple blood tests or urine analyses, as well as more invasive procedures, such as drawing fluid from the amniotic sac or fetal blood from the umbilical cord for testing.
Prenatal tests can be used to identify many different things, including:
In the mother, prenatal tests are used to identify things that could possibly affect the developing fetus, including:
Prenatal tests can screen for many different congenital defects in the fetus, including:
About 250 different birth defects can be diagnosed through prenatal testing. Some can be treated in utero (before birth) or immediately after birth, but the majority cannot. Prenatal testing can be quite complicated. However, prenatal tests do not test for everything, and no prenatal test guarantees the birth of a healthy baby.
Why is prenatal testing performed?
What are the different types of prenatal tests?
What questions should I ask my heatlthcare provider about prenatal testing?
Where can I get more information about prenatal testing?
References:
Bubb JA, Matthews AL. What’s new in prenatal screening and diagnosis? Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice. 2004;31:561-582.
Overview: prenatal tests. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/prenataltests.html . Accessed August 24, 2005.
Prenatal genetic testing. Genetics & Public Policy Center website. Available at: http://www.dnapolicy.org/genetics/prenatal.jhtml . Accessed August 24, 2005.
Prenatal tests. Nemours Foundation. KidsHealth website. Available at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/prenatal_tests.html . Accessed August 24, 2005.
Last reviewed June 2007 by Ganson Purcell Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.