| Patients Information » Prenatal Diagnosis & Conselling Prenatal diagnosis is the process of evaluating the presence of disease or potential disease in the unborn fetus. This enables families to make critical decisions before the birth of the baby.
The Prenatal Diagnostic & Counselling Service including Mrs. Wu Chung Prenatal Diagnostic Laboratory was established at Tsan Yuk Hospital in 1981.
The Prenatal Diagnostic & Counselling team accepts referrals for prenatal diagnosis, counselling & therapy, and provides prenatal screening and diagnosis of thalassaemia, Down syndrome and fetal anomalies.
Over the years, we have improved prenatal diagnostic service by providing non-invasive prenatal testing. We have been providing prenatal screening test for Down syndrome as an alternative to direct invasive test from 1997. We also provide ultrasound monitoring to exclude homozygous £\o- thalassaemia, avoiding the need for an invasive testing in an unaffected pregnancy. In addition, we have introduced qF-PCR for rapid aneuploidy diagnosis, three-dimensional/ four-dimensional ultrasound for assessment of fetal volume and anatomy, obstetric endoscopy for confirmation of ultrasound diagnosis of fetal anomalies and laser photocoagulation for therapy of severe twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.
With the support of geneticists, neonatologists, paediatric surgeons, cardiologists, we are able to provide excellent continuity of care for normal and complicated pregnancies.
SERVICES
1. Screening
for fetal abnormalities
- 18-20 week fetal morphology scan
- Nuchal translucency scanning
- Integrated screening/maternal serum screening for fetal Down syndrome
- 1st trimester combined screening for fetal Down's syndrome (offered at the WDTC by the University of Hong Kong).
- Antenatal screening for £\ and £]-thalassaemia
2. Prenatal diagnosis for fetal
abnormalities
Ć - Targeted 2D ultrasound examination in 1st and 2nd trimester
- Fetal echocardiography (joint consultation with paediatric cardiologists)
- 3D/4D ultrasound examination
- Invasive diagnostic procedures including amniocentesis, chorionic
villus sampling, cordocentesis, embryoscopy, hysterofetoscopy
- Noninvasive ultrasound diagnosis of £\-thalassaemia
3. Prenatal
fetal therapy
Ć
- Various shunting procedures for fetal disorders such as urethral obstruction or pleural effusion
- Thermo-coagulation, for twin abnormalities such as acardiac twin
- Laser photocoagulation for twin abnormalities such as severe twin-twin
transfusion syndrome
- In-utero transfusion for treatment of fetal anaemia
- Amnio-reduction
- Medical treatment for cardiac arrhythmia
4. Fetal
monitoring for high risk pregnancies
- Multiple pregnancies
- Intrauterine growth restriction
- Fetal abnormalities
- Rhesus isoimmunisation
- Pregnancies from couples at risk of having fetuses with homozygous
£\0- thalassaemia
5. Laboratory
services
Ć - Cytogenetic studies
- Rapid detection by qF-PCR / FISH studies (including pre-implantation
genetic diagnosis)
- DNA studies (genetic studies performed offsite at University Medical
Department)
- Biochemical assay for fetal Down syndrome screening
- Haematological studies
6. Counselling
Ć - Joint counseling for fetal anomalies with pediatricians
- Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis
NEW SERVICES
1. 3D/4D
ultrasound
3D/4D obstetric ultrasound examination was introduced in 2002. The
Three-dimensional ultrasonographic techniques including multiplier
analysis and reordered mode provide additional views for improving
evaluation of fetal anomalies and fetal volume measurement. 4D ultrasound
allows real time observation of fetal surface structure, movement
and behavior. The use of 3D/4D ultrasound has helped in the counselling
of couples with fetal anomalies.
2. qF-PCR
qF-PCR is a technique for amplification of DNA. qF-PCR can be employed in obstetrics for rapid detection of chromosomal aneuploidy and DiGeorge microdeletion in amniotic fluid cells, chorionic villi, or fetal blood cells. The report is available within two days.
3. Selective laser photocoagulation of communicating vessels for twin-twin
transfusion syndrome
Without treatment, severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome is associated with
high fetal loss. Laser photocoagulation is a new and effective technique to
treat severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
1. Prenatal counselling
2. Down syndrome Screening
Down syndrome screening was started at WDTC since 2004. It is offered to women of all ages.
- a. HKU First trimester screening test:
Sonographic measurement of fetal nuchal translucency and maternal blood test for b-hCG and PAPP-A will be arranged between 11 to 13+6 weeks. The result will be available within two days. Detection rate is 85% and false positive rate is 5%.
- b. HKU Integrated test:
This involves risk estimation based on sonographic measurement of fetal nuchal translucency and maternal blood test for PAPP-A between 11 to 13+6 weeks, followed by maternal blood test for AFP and hCG between 16 to 19+6 weeks. Result will be available within 2 days after second blood test. Detection rate is 85% and false positive rate is 2%.
- c. Second trimester maternal blood test:
The woman¡¦s risk of having a fetus with Down syndrome is estimated by combining maternal age, results of maternal serum assay of AFP and hCG between 16 to 19+6 weeks. Detection rate is 60-70%. Result will be available within 2 days.
3. Ultrasound (2D, 3D and 4D)
4. Amniocentesis
5. Chorionic villus sampling
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For public referrals, please call the prenatal diagnostic clinic at (852) 2589-2218, or fax referrals to (852) 2517-2373.
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For laboratory services, please call the prenatal diagnostic laboratory at (852) 2589- 2208.
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