Techniques for early diagnosis of the abnormal fetus

The phenomenal developments in molecular genetics and technological refinements which have occurred over the past decade are revolutionizing the area of prenatal genetics. State-of-the-art care commences with comprehensive preconceptional counseling. Prenatal diagnosis is now feasible from the moment of conception onward. Imaging techniques have allowed non-invasive diagnosis while minimally invasive techniques concentrate on sampling maternal blood for fetal cells or markers of feto-placental metabolism. Invasive techniques are rapidly expanding and becoming safer, comprising of chorionic villus sampling, early amniocentesis, midtrimester amniocentesis as well as very early fetoscopy and umbilical vein sampling.