Definition of "amniocentesis" []

• A procedure in which a small sample of amniotic fluid is drawn out of the uterus through a needle inserted in the abdomen. The fluid is then analyzed to detect genetic abnormalities in the fetus or to determine the sex of the fetus. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "A genetic amniocentesis is recommended in the evaluation of possible TTTS to confirm same sex status and to rule out chromosome abnormalities and fetal infection."
• "One area Dr. Tita says he'd like to explore further is whether late-term amniocentesis, currently used to determine respiratory health in a fetus, could be used more widely to sort out which deliveries carry the most risks and which ones could, indeed, be performed before 39 weeks."
• "No one expects such tests to immediately replace amniocentesis, which is considered the gold standard for acquiring definitive genetic information and is performed around 200,000 times a year in the U.S. alone."