Which of these procedures poses the least risk to an unborn child?
Which of these procedures poses the least risk to an unborn child?
Select an option to attempt
Correct Answer: Option C
Explanation
Prenatal diagnostic procedures and relative fetal risk: Amniocentesis (performed at 15–20 weeks gestation) — needle aspiration of amniotic fluid; miscarriage risk ~0.1–0.5%. Chorionic Villi Sampling/CVS (at 10–13 weeks) — biopsy of placental chorionic villi; miscarriage risk ~0.5–1%. Embryoscopy/Fetoscopy — direct endoscopic visualisation of the fetus; highest invasive risk (1–2% miscarriage). Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) sampling — a maternal SERUM (blood) test, non-invasive, no procedure-related fetal risk. AFP is elevated in neural tube defects (NTD: anencephaly, spina bifida) and abdominal wall defects, and low in Down syndrome (Trisomy 21). As a blood test from the mother, AFP poses LEAST risk to the unborn child.