Final answer:
Amniocentesis is a diagnostic procedure that can identify genetic and chromosomal disorders, such as Down Syndrome and Turner Syndrome, by analyzing fetal cells in amniotic fluid. It can also detect abnormalities in amniotic fluid levels and diagnose congenital infections, providing a comprehensive overview of fetal health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Amniocentesis is a prenatal testing procedure that provides crucial information about the health of a fetus. By analyzing amniotic fluid, which contains fetal cells, medical professionals can diagnose a range of genetic disorders and chromosomal abnormalities. Conditions like Down Syndrome, characterized by an additional chromosome 21, and Turner Syndrome, marked by the presence of only one X chromosome in females, can be identified through this test. Large DNA deletions or insertions, such as those seen in Jacobsen Syndrome, and translocations can also be detected. Additionally, amniocentesis can measure amniotic fluid levels, which are important as too little (oligohydramnios) or too much (polyhydramnios or hydramnios) amniotic fluid can signal potential complications, including hypoplastic lungs in newborns.
Moreover, this test is capable of diagnosing congenital infections by detecting DNA of infectious agents, like T. gondii, through molecular methods such as PCR. With these capabilities, amniocentesis is a comprehensive tool in prenatal diagnostics, often supplemented by genetic counseling to help expectant parents understand the results and implications for their child's health.