Obtaining a prenatal diagnosis for an embryo or fetus in the womb is also possible, using fetal genetic material acquired through chorionic villus sampling. An amniocentesis can be performed if the pregnancy is further along, within 14–18 weeks. This procedure looks at the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby for indicators of the HD mutation. This, too, can be paired with exclusion testing to avoid disclosure of parental genotype. Prenatal testing can be done when parents have been diagnosed with HD, when they have had genetic testing showing the expansion of the HTT gene, or when they have a 50% chance of inheriting the disease. The parents can be counseled on their options, which include termination of pregnancy, and on the difficulties of a child with the identified gene.
obtaining a prenatal diagnosis for an embryo or fetus in the womb is also possible using fetal genetic material acquired through chorionic villus sampling an amniocentesis can be performed if the pregnancy is further along within 14–18 weeks this procedure looks at the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby for indicators of the hd mutation this too can be paired with exclusion testing to avoid disclosure of parental genotype prenatal testing can be done when parents have been diagnosed with hd when they have had genetic testing showing the expansion of the htt gene or when they have a 50% chance of inheriting the disease the parents can be counseled on their options which include termination of pregnancy and on the difficulties of a child with the identified gene