Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): Why It Is Done
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Why It Is Done
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is done to:
- Find chromosomal birth defects (such as Down syndrome), especially if you are over age 35.
- Find family genetic problems (such as Tay-Sachs disease, hemophilia, sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, or thalassemia) of your baby during pregnancy, especially if either you or the father has a family history of a genetic problem.
- Find out the sex of your baby if you know you might have a sex-linked genetic disorder. For example, hemophilia can be passed from a mother (who does not have the disease) only to her male children. Her female children may be carriers of the disease but will not have the disease.
- Find the blood type of your baby when Rh sensitization has occurred.
| Last updated: | May 13, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Sandy Jocoy, RN |
| Reviewed By: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Tracy Landauer |
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