Chorionic Villus Sampling

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is a prenatal diagnostic test which involves the removal of a small sample of cells from the placental tissue of a pregnant woman in order to diagnose or detect any genetic or chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus. It is usually performed between the 10th and 13th weeks of gestation and is considered one of the most accurate prenatal testing procedures currently available. The advantages of CVS are that it allows for early diagnosis, provides accurate results and can be used to diagnose chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome and other genetic disorders. CVS can also be used to detect some birth defects in the foetus before delivery, allowing for better management of the pregnancy and delivery.