Question

Dana, a 24-year-old patient who is 5 weeks pregnant with her first child, is visiting the office for a routine checkup. She says that birth defects are common in her family, and she is concerned about the possibility that her baby will have defects as well. As a medical assistant, what could you tell her about possible testing for birth defects? What are some tests that could be ordered?

Answer 1

Birth defects can be caused wither by internal genetic factors or external factors like drugs, radiation, smoking,...

Dana, who is concerned about the possibility that her baby will have defects, may do the following tests: screening test, that will show if she might have child with birth defect and diagnostic test like amniocentesis (analyzing small amount of amniotic fluid from the area surrounding the baby) which is more than 90% correct.