title: Cordocentesis: overall pregnancy loss rate as important as procedure loss rate.
abstract: A 4-year retrospective review of cordocentesis at a single center with four operators identified 182 patients undergoing 214 cordocenteses. The major indications were chromosomal, fetal platelet and rhesus evaluation. The procedure was successful in 95%. A positive genetic diagnosis was present in 18% with 64% having trisomy 18, 21 or 13. The procedural pregnancy loss rate was 3.25, 1.25 and 2.75% for chromosomal and nonchromosomal indications and total population, respectively. The overall fetal loss rate (procedural, nonprocedural) in chromosomal risk population was 47%. This overall pregnancy loss risk should be included in patient counselling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, CPDT, Grace Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Farquharson
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Wittmann
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D017218:Cordocentesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology*; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014314:Trisomy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal