Foetal Screening

Two in 100 babies can be born disabled and sometimes, it is better that such abnormalities are detected early and appropriate steps taken to rectify the problem if that possible. It could mean a big difference between giving birth to a disabled child versus correction of abnormalities even while it's still in its mother's womb.

This can be achieved by undergoing Foetal Screening - a service now available at Raffles Women' Centre.

Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Tony Tan, of Raffles Women's Centre, is Foetal Medicine Foundation-certified and has performed more than 2,000 FTS scans.

Says, Dr. Tan, "This programme allows for the detection of about 90% of Down Syndrome cases and some severe structural abnormalities. It also allows parents to bond with the foetus through an early scan and may allow the identification of the gender".

Screening for these conditions is accomplished by a combination of blood tests and ultrasound scans. Routine blood test screen for carriers of the Thalassaemia trait in parents, as well as common infections in the mother such as syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV and rubella (German Measles) can also be done.