Madurai GRH performs first amniocentesis test

Madurai: Doctors from Madurai Govt Rajaji Hospital successfully conducted the first amniocentesis procedure on an 18-week pregnant woman, concluding that the foetus was not affected by any genetic disorders.The Woman had lost a child to myopathy, a rare genetic disorder. Hospital's dean Arul Sundaresh Kumar stated that carrier parents can pass on rare genetic disorders to their babies, but amniocentesis between 16-20 weeks can help to identify the possibilities of getting diseases in the foetus."This advanced diagnostic intervention allows clinicians to sample amniotic fluid to detect chromosomal abnormalities and genetic conditions early in the pregnancy, providing families with health insights that can impact their future generations," Kumar explained. The dean added that the govt Rajaji Hospital, as a part of NHM initiative, will perform amniocentesis for women with genetic blood disorders. This will prevent the need for any transfusion dependencies in the baby, preventing an economic burden to both the family and the govt, he said.Doctors from the obstetrics and gynaecology, radiology, paediatrics and genetics departments conducted the procedure under the chief minister's comprehensive health insurance scheme. The medical team said the service will benefit surrounding communities who may need to spend a lot to get a similar service in private hospitals.