Sampling of fetal biological material presents a risk to pregnancy and should be done only in consultation with a gynecologist. 

 

We cooperate with gynecologists throughout Serbia who can take these samples. It would be best to consult with your own gynecologist about further steps concerning potential sampling of fetal material. 

The samples for prenatal diagnosis can be chorionic villi cells (CVS), amnion (amniotic fluid) or umbilical cord blood. Tests that can done from these samples are QF-PCR, cytogenetics, complete prenatal testing, paternity testing, as well as diagnosing the presence of cytomegalovirus and toxoplasma in the fetus. 

CVS can be taken between the 10th and 12th week of pregnancy, amnion after the 15th week and umbilical cord blood in late pregnancy. The safest is the sampling of the amnion, then chorion and then umbilical cord blood. 

In the case of a miscarriage, the QF-PCR test can be done from the aborted material. 

 

 

 

Chorionic villi cells (CVS) 

Chorion is one of the membranes that exist within the uterus, between the fetus and the mother, during pregnancy. 

Choriocentesis is the sampling procedure. This procedure carries a risk of miscarriage and other complications of about 0.5% - 1.0%. 

CVS can taken between the 10th and 12th weeks of pregnancy. 

This sample is suitable for the QF-PCR test, diagnosing presence of cytomegalovirus and toxoplasma, as well as for paternity testing. 

 

Amnion 

Amnion (amniotic fluid) is the fluid that surrounds the fetus during pregnancy. 

Amniocentesis is the procedure for sampling the amnion. This procedure carries a risk of miscarriage and other complications of around 0.1% - 0.5%. Amniocentesis is the least risky procedure for taking samples of biological material of the child during pregnancy. 

Amnion can be taken any time after 15 weeks of pregnancy (and even in later pregnancies) for the QF-PCR test, diagnosing presence of cytomegalovirus and toxoplasma, as well as for prenatal paternity testing. If the amnion is taken between the 16th and 20th weeks of pregnancy then the sample can be used for cytogenetics or the complete prenatal analysis. 

 

Umbilical cord blood 

Cordocentesis is the procedure of taking blood from the umbilical cord. This procedure carries a risk of miscarriage and other complications of 1.0% - 2.0%. 

Blood from the umbilical cord can be taken after 20 weeks of pregnancy and the sample is suitable for cytogenetics and/or QF-PCR, diagnosing the presence of cytomegalovirus and toxoplasma, as well as prenatal paternity testing.