Overview

Amniotic Fluid Karyotype Test

also known as: Karyotype, Amniotic Fluid

What is Amniotic Fluid Karyotype Test?

Amniotic Fluid Karyotype test is a laboratory test analysis that allows your doctor to examine your set of chromosomes. Examining chromosomes through this test allows your doctor to determine whether there are any abnormalities or structural problems within the chromosomes.When a cell divides, it needs to pass on a complete set of genetic instructions to each new cell it forms.This test examines these dividing cells.The arrangement of pairs of chromosomes are one the basis of size and appearance. This helps your doctor easily determine if any chromosomes are missing or damaged.

Preparation for Amniotic Fluid Karyotype Test

The preparation required for this test depends on the method your doctor will use to take a sample of your blood cells for testing. Samples can be taken as following: 1. a blood draw, 2. a bone marrow biopsy, which requires taking a sample of the spongy tissue inside certain bones, 3. an amniocentesis, which requires taking a sample of amniotic fluid from the uterus, Your test results may be inaccurate if you are undergoing chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can cause disarray in your chromosomes, which will appear in the resulting images.

Uses of Amniotic Fluid Karyotype Test

Generally the test result will show 46 chromosomes.Out of these 46 chromosomes two are sex chromosomes, which determine the whether the person being tested is male or female, and rest of them are autosomes. The autosomes are not related to determine the sex of the person being tested. Females have two X chromosomes, while males have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome. Abnormalities that appear in the test sample could be the result of some genetic syndromes or conditions. Sometimes, there’s an abnormality in the lab sample that’s not related in your body. The test may be repeated to confirm that there’s an abnormality or not.

Procedure for Amniotic Fluid Karyotype Test

The first step in this test is to take a sample of your cells. The sample cells can come from a number of different tissues.Sampling can be done using various methods, depending on the area of your body is to be tested. For example, the doctor will use amniocentesis to collect the sample of amniotic fluid needs to be tested. After the sampling is done, it’s placed in a laboratory dish which allows the cells to grow. The lab technician will take cells from this sample and stain them. This makes it relevant for your doctor to view the chromosomes under a microscope.

Limitations of Amniotic Fluid Karyotype Test

Although the overall culture success rate is reported as >99%, culture failure can result. Reasons include but are not limited to lack of amniocytes in the fluid, and contamination of the fluid with bacteria or yeast.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Amniotic fluid;fetal urine;cystic hygroma fluid

Volume

5ml

Container

Sterile plastic conical tube

Price for Amniotic Fluid Karyotype Test

Average price range of the test is between Rs.4600 to Rs.12000 depending on the factors of city, quality and availablity.

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