Pediatric Bone and Joint Imaging

Question: Do they have a test one can buy to tell the sex of a baby early let say about 15 weeks?

Answer: Thank you for contacting the Pediatric Imaging Ask the Expert forum. To our knowledge, there are no over the counter tests that can detect the gender of an unborn child. However, an ultrasound is a procedure that has a high accuracy rate for detecting the gender of the baby, although not 100%. Ultrasound is a non-invasive test that is often ordered by the obstetrician as a way to make sure the baby is growing normally. Many very serious abnormalities can be detected and treated before the baby is born. Our experts highly recommend that anyone who is pregnant should make an appointment to see an obstetrician early in the pregnancy. If you would like to find an obstetrician, please call 1-888-488-3627 or visit the website. Another procedure, amniocentesis, is 100% accurate in detecting the gender of the baby, but is invasive, meaning it uses a needle to withdraw fluid from the womb. It is recommended when more information is needed to determine the well-being of the baby, and is not done only to test for gender. We would like you to know that if and when the time comes to have your ultrasound, UT radiologists are available to provide expert analyses. Please consider making an appointment at one of the Memorial Hermann Breast Centers (713-512-6040) or at the LBJ General Hospital (713-526-4243).