title: Cordocentesis: an appraisal of risks.
abstract: Fetal blood sampling via cordocentesis is being used with increasing frequency. Between March 1986 and February 1988, we performed 58 intravascular transfusions (64 attempts) and 27 fetal blood samplings (28 attempts) guided by ultrasonography. The complication rates for intravascular transfusion and fetal blood sampling were 9.4% (6 of 64) and 7.1% (2 of 28), respectively. The procedure-related mortality rates were 4.7% (3 of 64) and 0%. We caution that the potential complications be seriously considered when appropriate patients are selected for cordocentesis. Additionally, we recommend that cordocentesis be performed only in tertiary care centers by personnel skilled in both ultrasonography and prenatal diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois.
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Pielet
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Socol
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: MacGregor
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ney
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Dooley
mesh_terms: D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods; D001805:Blood Transfusion, Intrauterine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D007226:Infant Mortality; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D007518:Isoantibodies