Survey of amniocentesis for fetal sex determination in hemophilia carriers.
A study was designed to determine whether there is an increased risk of complications when amniocentesis for fetal sex determination is performed on hemophilia carriers. Questionnaires were sent to 112 medical centers providing this service in the United States, and to 19 outside the United States. Responses were received from 76% of the centers in the United States. Data on 11,819 taps were obtained. Only 75 taps (0.64%) were performed for the indication of hemophilia. The frequency of fetal deaths in the general sample (1.84%) was not significantly different from that in the subsample of hemophilia carriers (1.33%). The results of this survey correspond very closely to data from a National Registry on amniocentesis for various indicaions in such variables as the number of taps needed for diagnosis, color of the fluid obtained, and number of dry taps. Carrier women who had bleeding problems during the monitored pregnancy are described. The problems might have been related to the amniocentesis in three women. It is calculated that only 2-4% of hemophilia carrier women who might have amniocentesis are utilizing the service.
D000026:Abortion, Habitual; D000032:Abortion, Therapeutic; D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D002836:Hemophilia B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012306:Risk; D012732:Sex Determination Analysis; D014481:United States; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology