Our investigations
Prenatal diagnostics & ultrasound
We can do that for you.
We use the latest technology to detect abnormalities during pregnancy: With particularly high-resolution 3-D and 4-D ultrasound equipment, we can assess the risk of possible malformations and illnesses in the child at an early stage, and this technology also offers a high level of safety for you and your child.
We would like to introduce you to these and other prenatal diagnostic procedures - invasive and non-invasive - that are used. Our aim is to provide informed patients with the best possible advice so that they can make their own decisions about which tests they would like to have carried out.
To give you a basis of knowledge, you will find a detailed description of each below.
Ultrasound diagnostics in general
Ultrasound diagnostics
For many years, we have been offering optimal ultrasound diagnostics with state-of-the-art equipment and professional qualifications.
NIPT - e.g. Praenatest from Lifekodex
Chromosome testing from maternal blood - the Praenatest® from Lifekodexx - what do you need to know?
First trimester screening first trimester screening
First trimester screening
First of all: The vast majority of babies are healthy! Nevertheless, all women - regardless of their age - run a small risk of their baby being affected by a mental or physical illness.
Precision diagnostics precision diagnostics
Precision diagnostics
At 20-22 weeks of pregnancy, the baby is so large and the organs are so well developed that their structure and function can be assessed using this ultrasound scan. Facial features and facial expressions can often be visualised. Most malformations can be ruled out or recognised at this stage - this also applies to most heart defects. The sex of the child can also normally be recognised at this stage.
Fetal echocardiography
Fetal echocardiography
Congenital heart defects are among the most common malformations. They occur in 8 out of 1000 newborns. Most heart defects are serious in themselves, but they can also indicate other serious illnesses in the foetus. They therefore usually require specialised care of the newborn by paediatric cardiologists immediately after birth.
Doppler examination Doppler examination
Doppler examination
Doppler sonography (also known as growth ultrasound), a special ultrasound technique, is used to visualise and measure the blood flow in the mother and child.
3-D/4-D sonography
3D ultrasound/4D ultrasound
3-D/4-D sonography is the further development of the conventional two-dimensional ultrasound examination in prenatal diagnostics, whereby 3-D stands for a still image and 4-D for moving images.
Invasive diagnostics
Invasive diagnostics
In addition to the various sonographies, there are also prenatal examination methods that involve a small intervention.
Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis
The analysis of the amniotic fluid includes the examination of the chromosomes and the determination of the alpha-fetoprotein as standard.
Chorionic villus sampling
Chorionic villus sampling
The chorion is a layer of cells on the outside of the amniotic sac. The chorion cells develop into chorionic villi, which go on to form the foetal part of the placenta. Although these cells are not part of the unborn child, they are usually genetically identical.
