Pregnancy Forum - Amniocentisis results: fetus has no lungs

Pregnancy Forum > Pregnancy Forum > Amniocentisis results: fetus has no lungs

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Q: Amniocentisis results: fetus has no lungs

asked by: DoctorQuestion on April 11th, 2007

Just had my 20 week detailed scan on monday and was very sadly informed that my baby's stomach was too high and was crushing it's lungs. I had an amniocentisis there and then and have to wai a whole week to find out the results. I was told if the problem is genetic then I could be looking at a termination but if not the baby could have an operation when it's born providing the lungs are working ok then it will be ok. I am just wondering how high a possiblility my baby has of surving through this and it not being genetic, if it is genetic will my baby still live a long healthy life. Please help, I cannot bare losing my baby especially at this stage almost 21 weeks. Thanks

Replies(2)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on April 23rd, 2007

Pregnancy Answer A2617

If your fetus’s lungs are not developed, the fetus won’t die during pregnancy but it can die soon after delivery. A fetus doesn’t need its lungs during pregnancy because it doesn’t breathe. During fetal life, a baby receives from its mother whatever it needs, including oxygen. But immediately after delivery, the lungs should start functioning. It seems to me that if the lungs are not developed enough, the baby has very small chances of surviving regardless of whether the anomaly is genetic (inborn) or acquired during the embryo-fetal life.

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