Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis (also referred to as amnio) is a prenatal test in which a long thin needle is inserted into the abdomen of a pregnant women for the purpose of withdrawing amniotic fluid.

The withdrawn fluid is collected and later analyzed for chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders such as down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edward syndrome (trisomy 18), Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13), Turner Syndrome (monosomy x), cystic fibrosis, spina bifida, anencephaly, and Tay-Sachs disease.

This type of prenatal diagnosis is frequently recommended by genetic counselors and healthcare providers for women 35 years or older and for women with high risk pregnancy.

Biocell Center offers a service to collect and preserve some of that withdrawn fluid thereby also preserving the valuable stem cells it contains. There is no change required to the standard amniocentesis procedure; the doctor simply takes a few milliliters of the withdrawn volume and places it into the provide sterile collection tube.

The sample is kept at room temperature and promptly sealed in the provided kit and mailed directly back to the Biocell Center laboratory where it is processed and frozen.

After the sample is successfully processed and frozen, it can be stored safely for decades and retrieved at any time for potential medical use.