What Genetic Tests Are Used In Prenatal Screenings?
Prenatal tests determine the risk for genetic disorders and physical deformities. Parents over age 35, parents with a family history of a genetic disorder, and pregnant women who have been exposed to harmful chemicals may consider prenatal testing. Common prenatal tests include the triple screen of the mother’s blood to test for Down syndrome, spina bifida, and other genetic disorders and an amniocentesis, a test of the amniotic fluid. The percutaneous umbilical blood sampling test can detect sickle cell anemia, hemophilia, and anemia. Prenatal testing can provide information that is not available through regular prenatal health visits. Pregnant women will want to weigh the risks of testing, such as pain, worry, and the possibility of a miscarriage, with the value of knowing what the tests may find. How Is Testing Used With Newborns? Blood samples from newborns are routinely tested in hospitals to identify rare metabolic disorders that could result in seizures, stunted growth, or life-
