The discovery led to the creation of a blood test that could examine fetal DNA (T21) for Down syndrome and other genetic diseases, instead of using needles to extract amniotic fluid from expecting ...

The person does not need to fast beforehand. The test requires a small blood sample using a needle, often from the finger. Doctors measure the amount of glucose in a person’s blood in milligrams ...

Before the test, you may get medicine to prevent pain and help you relax or sleep. During the biopsy, nurses will check your heartbeat and blood pressure ... places the needle into the bone ...