title: Trophoblast sampling by blind transcervical aspiration.
abstract: Blind transcervical aspiration for trophoblast was carried out on 137 patients undergoing elective termination of early pregnancies. Trophoblast was obtained from 45 patients (33%) usually at the first attempt. Collection was not necessarily more successful between 8 and 11 weeks of gestation. In only 13 patients (9%) was trophoblast collected without contamination by maternal tissue, or blood. Perforation of the amniotic sac in one patient (1%), bleeding either observed, or detected histologically (34%) and introduction of infection (4%) constitutes a real threat to fetal survival. Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein estimation appears useful and may forewarn likelihood of fetal damage. Although transcervical aspiration should encounter ready acceptability as an out-patient procedure, modifications in the technique are essential before clinical application for detection of gene, or chromosome anomalies can be considered.
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000209:etiology; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000473:pathology*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins