This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Foetoscopy

Authoring team

Fetoscopy is the endoscopic visualization of the fetus. The optimal time for doing this procedure is 18-20 weeks of gestation.

The fetoscope has a small field of view and so entire fetal visualization is difficult.

Fetoscopy provides a means of obtaining fetal skin or liver biopsies. Indications for fetoscopy include:

  • fetal inspection - facial and limb defect syndromes
  • fetal blood sampling - haemophilia A & B, fragile X syndrome, beta-thalassaemia, sickle cell disease, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
  • fetal skin biopsy - lethal epidermolysis bullosa
  • fetal liver biopsy - ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency Even in experienced centres, the risk of abortion with fetoscopy is about 5%.

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.