Cordocentesis: direct access to the fetal circulation for evaluating fetal wellbeing and thyroid function.
Cordocentesis has pioneered perinatal medicine in the last 10 years with the ability to obtain genetic information, to diagnose and to treat erythrocyte and platelet alloimmunization, to discover the presence of perinatal infections, and to determine the acid-base status of the fetus. Fetal blood sampling has also allowed the perinatologist a greater understanding of fetal physiology, such as thyroid-pituitary function. This review will concentrate on the role of cordocentesis in determining fetal physiology with acid-base status, compare noninvasive testing in its prediction of the hypoxic-acidemic state, and also how cordocentesis has enabled obstretricians to have a better understanding of fetal thyroid development and function.
Hare
J Y
JY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia.
Ludomirsky
A
A
D000138:Acidosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D017218:Cordocentesis; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000196:embryology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal