"Chorionic Villus Sampling" May Cause Fetal Abnormalities
A 26-year-old pregnant woman in Anshan City, already a mother to a daughter, became pregnant again hoping for a son. Her family sought various methods to determine the fetus's gender.Later, the family learned that chorionic villus sampling (CVS) could determine the sex early on. At around 10 weeks of pregnancy, the woman underwent CVS at a local small clinic.Why does chorionic villus sampling cause fetal developmental abnormalities? Professor Ren Mulang, Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, explains that this procedure is an invasive test performed during early pregnancy. Reputable large hospitals do not offer this test to women seeking to determine fetal gender, leading many to secretly seek it at small clinics with unproven technology and equipment, thereby significantly increasing the risks.Obtaining fetal chorionic villi for gender determination requires a puncture procedure. This invasive test inherently carries risks for the mother, including bleeding, amniotic fluid leakage, miscarriage, or even fetal injury.Since the chorionic villi are closely adjacent to the developing fetal cell clusters, by 10 weeks gestation fetal cells have already undergone specialized differentiation and are no longer the initial pluripotent stem cells. Damage to these differentiated cells—which may be destined to form specific organs or limbs—can result in missing limbs or organs, leading to developmental abnormalities.>Fetal gender determination must be strictly medically indicated. It is generally considered only when genetic factors suggest a potential risk of X-linked disorders in the fetus. Furthermore, the state imposes stringent regulations on fetal gender determination. Only hospitals that have undergone technical accreditation and meet specific criteria are authorized to perform this procedure. This prenatal diagnostic technique is subject to rigorous operational protocols to maximize protection for both the mother and fetus.
Over 70 X-linked genetic disorders have been identified, including clinically common conditions such as hemophilia A and B, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and red-green color blindness.
X-linked recessive disorders follow a distinct pattern: female carriers exhibit no symptoms or only mild manifestations, while male carriers will invariably develop the condition. If a female carrier marries a unaffected male, half of their sons will be affected while half will be unaffected; all daughters will be unaffected. Therefore, prenatal diagnosis should result in retaining female fetuses and terminating male fetuses.If a male with an X-linked recessive disorder marries a healthy woman, sons will be unaffected but daughters will be affected. If the father has an X-linked dominant disorder and the mother is unaffected, all daughters will be affected. Thus, after prenatal diagnosis, male fetuses should be retained while female fetuses should be terminated.Beyond chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis and cordocentesis are invasive diagnostic procedures. Both methods for determining fetal sex are performed during the second trimester and carry risks including maternal bleeding, amniotic fluid leakage, miscarriage, fetal injury, intrauterine infection, and fetal infection leading to death. The pain and stress from the procedures may also trigger risks beyond cardiovascular complications.Current research on ultrasound screening indicates no adverse effects on the fetus, but it has low accuracy. Therefore, prenatal diagnosis specialists will not perform fetal gender determination unless it is based on concerns about potential genetic disorders in the fetus.
Mid-pregnancy termination poses significant risks to the mother
Since fetal gender determination typically occurs during mid-pregnancy, termination at this stage—whether for genetic concerns or gender selection—inflicts substantial harm on the mother.
For mid-term pregnancy termination, medical or surgical abortions using curettage are no longer suitable. The pregnant woman must undergo an induced labor procedure. Historically, forceps curettage caused greater physical damage, and some inadequately equipped clinics may still employ this method. Induced labor involves using medication or mechanical means to stimulate uterine contractions, triggering a process similar to natural childbirth to expel the fetus.
Induced abortions during mid-pregnancy carry risks of serious complications, including uterine injury, retained placenta, retained fetal tissue, retained membranes, severe infection, amniotic fluid embolism, and hemorrhage.Uterine damage can trigger bleeding, infection, or amniotic fluid embolism. Without prompt treatment, these conditions can be life-threatening—amniotic fluid embolism carries a mortality rate as high as 80%. Induced abortion may also disrupt the endocrine system, leading to infertility. If uterine removal becomes necessary, it not only eliminates fertility but also inflicts severe psychological trauma on women. Naturally, undergoing illegal induced abortions at unlicensed medical facilities carries even greater risks.
Professor Ren Mulian, Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, specifically cautions that fetal gender determination must adhere to scientific principles—whether from an ethical standpoint or for the health of the mother and fetus—and should never be conducted indiscriminately.