CVS

CVS

Chorionic villus sampling, or CVS, is a prenatal diagnostic test carried out for the detection of genetic and chromosomal defects in the fetus. Conducted usually between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy, CVS involves removing a sample of cells from chorionic villi. These are small, finger-like projections which emanate from the placenta and carry the same genetic material as the baby. The sample may be collected either through the cervix—transcervical—or through the abdominal wall, called a transabdominal sample. The cells are analyzed for various conditions like Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and other disorders of this nature. CVS provides an early result of pregnancy, allowing one to make informed decisions, but it is associated with a small risk  of miscarriage.