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Amniotic Fluid Chip or Amniocentesis? Full Comparison of Benefits, Risks, and Considerations

1. What Is Amniocentesis? How Is It Different from an Amniotic Fluid Chip?

2. Who Needs an Amniocentesis Test?

3. Is Amniocentesis Only for Older Moms? It's No Longer Just for Advanced Maternal Age!

4. When Is the Best Time to Have Amniocentesis?

5. Does Amniocentesis Harm the Baby?

6. Is Amniocentesis Painful?

7. Amniocentesis Precautions!

8. How to Choose Between Chromosome Karyotyping and Amniotic Fluid Chips?

Do you want to know your baby's health status during pregnancy and prepare for disease prevention and treatment, but are unsure whether to choose an amniotic fluid chip or amniocentesis?

With advancements in prenatal testing technology, expectant mothers can learn about the health of their babies earlier and more accurately. Amniotic fluid chips and traditional amniocentesis are two main prenatal testing methods. This article will explore the technical principles, scope of application, and the pros and cons of both methods.

What Is Amniocentesis? How Is It Different from an Amniotic Fluid Chip?

In the past, when people talked about "amniocentesis," they were usually referring to "chromosome karyotyping." However, amniocentesis refers to the process of extracting amniotic fluid to analyze the fetus's DNA for chromosomal and genetic abnormalities. With the advancement of testing technology, amniotic fluid chips provide a more precise detection range.

The current methods of amniocentesis are divided into "chromosome karyotyping" and "amniotic fluid chips." What are the differences?

Chromosome Karyotyping

This method arranges the fetus's 23 pairs of chromosomes in order and uses microscopes and other instruments to identify chromosomal abnormalities such as number anomalies, large segment deletions, or duplications. Common chromosomal abnormalities include Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome.

Amniotic Fluid Chip

An amniotic fluid chip contains many detection probes, each recognizing specific gene fragments. These probes are analyzed by computer to detect genetic abnormalities, using molecular diagnostic techniques to discover microdeletions or duplications that cannot be identified by karyotyping.

Who Needs an Amniocentesis Test?

Pregnant women who meet any of the following conditions, especially when the baby's genes are influenced by one or both parents with genetic disorders, are recommended to undergo amniocentesis:

Pregnant women aged 34 or older
The mother, father, or family has genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities
Previous pregnancies or births with congenital defects
Ultrasound detects fetal structural abnormalities
Three or more miscarriages

Is Amniocentesis Only for Older Moms? It's No Longer Just for Advanced Maternal Age!

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine recommend prenatal testing for all pregnant women using amniotic fluid chips, as diseases caused by small chromosomal deletions are not related to the mother's age!

According to studies, 80% of Down syndrome babies are born to mothers under the age of 35, so younger moms should also consider amniotic fluid chip testing.

When Is the Best Time to Have Amniocentesis?

To ensure the baby's health, the best time for amniocentesis is between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. This ensures enough amniotic fluid is present for the procedure. If the results indicate abnormalities, the doctor may need to assess further, so it's best not to delay the test beyond 20 weeks to minimize risks.

Does Amniocentesis Harm the Baby?

Mothers often worry about whether invasive amniocentesis could harm the baby or cause pain. In fact, the risk is very low. With sterile ultrasound guidance, the doctor has a clear view of the fetus, minimizing the risk of injury or infection.

Is Amniocentesis Painful?

The needle used for amniocentesis is very fine, and the sensation is similar to a blood draw. Some mothers may feel mild discomfort or cramping afterward, but resting is usually enough for recovery.

Amniocentesis Precautions!

Stay calm and relaxed before the procedure.
After amniocentesis, stay at the clinic for about 10-15 minutes to ensure there are no immediate issues.
Rest for one week after the procedure and avoid strenuous activities like fast walking, prolonged standing, or heavy housework.

How to Choose Between Chromosome Karyotyping and Amniotic Fluid Chips?

Amniotic fluid chips have a resolution that is 500 to 1,000 times higher than traditional chromosome karyotyping, allowing more diseases to be detected.

	Amniotic Fluid Chip	Chromosome Karyotyping
Timing (weeks)	16-20 weeks	16-20 weeks
Analysis Method	Computer-based	Visual identification
Resolution	10KB-30KB (kilobase) High resolution Detects microdeletions	5M-10MB (megabase) Low resolution Only detects large deletions
Diseases Detected	Around 500 types	Up to 100 types
Commonly Detected Conditions	Rare conditions caused by microdeletions, like alpha-thalassemia, Williams syndrome, Cri-du-chat syndrome, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and more (about 500+).	Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, Patau syndrome, etc.
Government Subsidy	None	For mothers over 34, a subsidy of 5,000 NTD is available.

As shown in the comparison table above, while chromosome karyotyping offers a subsidy for mothers over 34, amniotic fluid chips can detect more diseases. It is recommended that mothers undergoing amniocentesis, if budget permits, opt for both tests together. Only one amniotic fluid sample is needed to provide a complete report.