Karyotype Test

Chromosome Analysis

Why It Is Done

Karyotype is done to:

• Determine whether the chromosomes of an adult have an abnormality that can be passed on to a child.
• Determine whether a chromosome defect is preventing a woman from becoming pregnant or causing miscarriages.
• Determine whether a chromosome defect is present in a fetus. Karyotyping also may be done to determine whether chromosomal problems may have caused a fetus to be stillborn.
• Determine the cause of a baby's birth defects or disability.
• Help determine the appropriate treatment for some types of cancer.
• Identify the sex of a person by determining the presence of the Y chromosome. This may be done when a newborn's sex is not clear.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: April 26, 2007
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Renee H. Martin, PhD - Medical Genetics
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