• Cordocentesis is also called
fetal blood or umbilical vein sampling
• This is an invasive procedure
where fetal blood from the umbilical
cord is taken and tested for suspected
abnormalities
• This diagnostic test can only
be carried out between weeks 18-20
because before this time frame, baby's
blood vessels are still fragile
• Cordocentesis can be used
to diagnose Down's syndrome as a follow
up to a scan
• It helps in the detection
of infections such as rubella, toxoplasmosis,
herpes in the mother; a specific analysis
is performed on the proteins found
in the blood sample
• It helps detect fetal anemia,
assess the hemoglobin levels in baby's
blood, and if necessary carry out
an intrauterine blood transfusion
for the baby
• It is also useful in detecting
rhesus antibodies in the mother and
to check if it poses a risk to baby's
well being
• In cordocentesis a thin needle
is passed through the abdomen into
the uterus down to the umbilical cord
where it attaches to the placenta
• With the aid of ultrasound,
a small amount of blood is then removed
from the blood vessel for testing.
• It is a very specialized,
delicate procedure and the risk level
to the baby is 1 to 2%
• Test results takes about 3-4
days
• Theoretically it is as good
as any other blood sample testing
