FOLLOW-UP OF 2000 2ND-TRIMESTER AMNIOCENTESES

Abstract

The outcome of 2000 consecutive 2nd trimester amniocenteses was analyzed. Some 73% were performed for maternal age of 34 yr or more. The risk of spontaneous abortion before 28 wk gestation was 1.3% and for stillbirth or neonatal death, 1.4%. Total fetal loss was 2.7%, compared with 2.2% in a control population. Congenital malformations were found in 1.6% of the study group and in 1.9% of controls; no increase in skeletal problems was observed. Prematurity, defined as a birth weight of < 2500 g, was noted in 3.6%, compared with 3.7% and 3.9% in 2 control populations. Respiratory difficulties persisting for > 24 h were observed in 0.8% of patients, compared with 0.7% of controls. Analyses of the outcome of amniocenteses do not show an increase in perinatal complications or malformations.