Janet is 40 years old and pregnant with her second child. Her doctor tells her that there is a risk that her baby might have a genetic abnormality. Describe two procedures that may be used to determine the presence of genetic abnormalities. Outline the risks, if any, that are involved.
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An amniocentesis is a procedure done usually between 16 and 20 weeks of gestation. A doctor removes a small amount of amniotic fluid via a needle in the mother's abdomen. Genetic studies are done on the cells contained in the fluid to test for conditions such as Down syndrome and cystic fibrosis. Amniotic fluid can also give doctors information regarding the presence of defects such as spina bifida. Due to the higher rates of genetic abnormalities more common among older mothers, doctors recommend this test for women over the age of 35. Some women are concerned about the risks of an amniocentesis, particularly the risk of miscarriage. One study documented the risk of miscarriage to be about 0.06%, or 1 in 1,600 Another study estimated the risk to be between 0.13% and 0.97% for women who had an amniocentesis prior to week 24 of pregnancy, which is still quite low.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is another screening procedure in which a doctor obtains a small amount of tissue from the placenta by inserting a thin, hollow tube into the vagina and through the cervix to reach the placenta. The tissue is analyzed for chromosomal disorders and specific genetic diseases. This procedure can be performed as early as 10 weeks of gestation.
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What is male circumcision? Why is it practiced and what are its advantages?
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