title: Obstetric aspects of midtrimester fetal blood sampling by needling or fetoscopy.
abstract: We describe our experience at University College Hospital, London, with the first 135 patients submitted to midtrimester fetal blood sampling for antenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassaemia major, other thalassaemias and homozygous sickle cell disease. Blind needling and fetoscopy with sampling are evaluated and their application discussed. With experienced operators 9 per cent of patients experienced a fetal loss.
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001800:Blood Specimen Collection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005332:Fetoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis*