#prenatal

• Amniocentesis — An invasive prenatal diagnostic medical procedure consisting of the transabdominal puncturing of the uterine wall and the amniotic sac, under ultrasound guidance, to extract a sample of amniotic fluid. This technique allows the analysis of desquamated fetal cells in order to detect genetic or chromosomal abnormalities (such as Down syndrome) or intrauterine infections.
• Amniotic — Belonging to the amnion, relating to the amnion or the gestational sac of the embryo; produced, secreted, or located inside the fetal cavity. In a clinical context, the term describes the fluidic, cellular, or structural elements that compose and support the intrauterine developmental environment of the fetus.
• Anencephaly — An extremely severe, lethal congenital malformation characterized by the total or partial absence of the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, and cranial vault, caused by the failure of the anterior neuropore to close during embryogenesis (days 23-26). This major structural condition is incompatible with long-term survival, with most cases resulting in stillbirth or death shortly after birth.
• Antenatal — Occurring, administered, or relating to the period before the birth of a child; prenatal. The term describes clinical investigations, ultrasound diagnoses, medical treatments, or care programs designed to monitor fetal development and maternal health throughout pregnancy.