What is chorionic villus testing?
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a test you may be offered during pregnancy to check if your baby has a genetic or chromosomal condition, such as Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome or Patau’s syndrome.
How is a chorionic villus sampling done?
Transabdominal CVS A needle is inserted through your skin into the womb and guided to the placenta using the image on the ultrasound scan. A syringe is attached to the needle, which is used to take a small sample of cells from the chorionic villi. After the sample is removed, the needle is removed.
What are the indications for chorionic villus sampling?
Indications
- Increased risk of abnormality identified through antenatal screening (risk >1:150)
- A previous child with chromosomal or genetic abnormality.
- Known carrier status for a genetic condition.
- A family history of a genetic condition.
Is chorionic villus sampling diagnostic or screening?
Chorionic Villus Sampling for Prenatal Diagnosis. Chorionic villus sampling, or CVS testing, is a type of genetic test during pregnancy. It can detect if your baby has certain health conditions. CVS test results are very accurate.
Who should get CVS testing?
Who Should Be Tested With CVS?
- Pregnant women who will be age 35 or older on their due date (the risk of having a baby with a chromosomal problem such as Down syndrome increases with the age of the woman)
- Couples who already have had a child with a birth defect or have a family history of certain birth defects.
How long should you rest after CVS?
You may experience some slight cramping and light spotting for a few hours after CVS. You should rest at home and avoid strenuous activities for at least 24 hours. You should not douche or have sexual intercourse for 2 weeks, or until directed by your doctor.
What is the medical definition of chorionic villus sampling?
Medical Definition of chorionic villus sampling. : biopsy of the chorion frondosum through the abdominal wall or by way of the vagina and uterine cervix at 10 to 12 weeks of gestation to obtain fetal cells for the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities —abbreviation CVS.
When to take a chorionic villus test during pregnancy?
The test can be done as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy. Chorionic villus sampling can reveal whether a baby has a chromosomal condition, such as Down syndrome, as well as other genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis.
Are there any side effects to chorionic villus sampling?
Women undergoing chorionic villus sampling may experience no pain at all or feel cramping or pinching. Occasionally, a second sampling procedure must be performed if insufficient villus material was obtained.
Can a positive chorionic villus test be false positive?
Occasionally, test results are unclear and amniocentesis — another prenatal diagnostic test — is needed to clarify the diagnosis. With chorionic villus sampling, there’s a rare chance of a false-positive test — when the test is positive, but no disease exists.