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More about Chorionic Villus Sampling:
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Chorionic villus sampling is performed on pregnant women who are at risk for carrying a fetus with a genetic or chromosomal defect. Although it carries a slightly higher risk, CVS may be used in place of amniocentesis for women who have one or more of the following risk factors:
- Women age 35 and older. The chance of having a child with Down syndrome increases with maternal age. For instance, the chance of having a baby with Down syndrome is one in 378 for a 35-year-old woman and increases to one in 30 for a 45-year-old woman.
- A history of miscarriages or children born with birth defects.
- A family history of genetic disease. Prenatal genetic testing is recommended if either the mother or father of the unborn baby has a family history of genetic disease or is known to be a carrier of a genetic disease.
— Belinda Rowland, PhD
