The cells are grown in a culture medium, then fixed and stained. Under a microscope the chromosomes are examined for abnormalities. The most common abnormalities detected are Down syndrome, Edward syndrome 18 and Turner syndrome X . Amniocentesis is most safely performed after the 14th-16th week of pregnancy, does not need to be done before then due to risk it can do to the babys limbs.
Serious complications can result in miscarriage. Other possible complications include preterm labor and delivery, respiratory distress, postural deformities, fetal trauma and alloimmunisation (rhesus disease). Studies from the 1970s originally estimated the risk of amniocentesis-related miscarriage at around 1 in 200 (0.5%).
Source: Wikipedia > Amniocentesis
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