Antenatal Detection of Hereditary Disorders

Amniotic fluid cells obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis at various stages of pregnancy were successfully cultivated. The intra-uterine detection of Down's syndrome, galactosemia, and mucopolysaccharidosis was established utilizing the cultivated amniotic fluid cells. The use of this procedure increases the precision of genetic counseling and should stimulate the development of new approaches for the intra-uterine management of genetic defects. However, until considerably more experience is gained with these techniques, these procedures should be considered experimental in nature.