Fetal screening

Fetal screening refers to any tests that allow a fetus to be tested for certain traits or characteristics.

Common procedures include:

• amniocentesis,
• sonograms,
• nuchal translucency testing, or
• genetic screening.

• Most often this is performed to test for birth defects.

• The tests can be used to check for conditions such as Down syndrome, spina bifida, cleft palate, Tay Sachs disease, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, and fragile x syndrome.

• In some cases, the tests are administered to determine if the fetus will be aborted.

• In some cases, fetal screening has been done to determine characteristics generally not considered birth defects.

• In some parts of the world, if a fetus is determined to be female, it is sometimes aborted. The rise of designer babies and parental selection for specific traits raises a host of bioethical and legal issues that will dominate reproductive rights debates in the 21st century.

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