International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

A blood test that can be carried out in early pregnancy is "highly accurate" at determining the sex of the foetus, a study has found.

The findings are of importance because the test allows the sex to be determined earlier and without invasive tests that carry a risk of miscarriage, Reuters reports.

Published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, the research shows that the blood testing method is 100 per cent accurate.

Dr Ellen van der Schoot of Sanquin Research Amsterdam told the news provider that the test could be used where sex is important in detecting or treating inherited medical conditions and means invasive procedures are no longer necessary.

"We agree that the test should be applied carefully in a clinical setting upon medical indication," she commented.

Typically, the sex of a foetus is determined during an ultrasound scan around 18 to 22 weeks, although it is not always a clear-cut answer.

Posted by Martine Ward