Feto‐maternal haemorrhage associated with genetic amniocentesis: results of a randomized trial

Abstract

Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were determined before and after genetic amniocentesis (n=283) or ultrasound scan (n=268) in a group of women participating in a randomized trial of genetic amniocentesis. Increase in AFP levels were seen significantly more often after amniocentesis than after ultrasound scan (P25 .mu.g/l represents a feto-maternal haemorrhage (FMH) attributable to amniocentesis, the rate of amniocentesis-induced FMH was 17%. Such FMH was seen significantly more often after transplacental amniocentesis or after amniocentesis performed by less experienced operators. No association was detected between birth-weight and FMH attributable to amniocentesis.