How are the skin cells used in karyotypes usually obtained? At what stage of fetal development are these procedures usually done?|||They are obtained by a procedure called amniocentesis. This is where a sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the foetus is drawn using a needle. The amniotic fluid will contain foetal skin cells which can be karyotyed to determine possible chromosome abnormalities. This procedure is carried out at the same time as an ultrasound scan so that the needle does not harm the foetus. It is usually carried out at between about 12 - 15 weeks in a pregnancy. After this the foetus would be too large and would carry an increased risk of causing a miscarriage.
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