title: Placental echolucencies: does their presence influence outcome following genetic amniocentesis?
abstract: Women undergoing genetic amniocentesis procedures were evaluated for the presence of ultrasonographic echolucencies within the placenta. Non-calcified sonolucencies < 4 to 5 cm were classified as subchorionic hematomas (SH). Of the 1,000 pregnancies evaluated, 153 (15%) pregnancies manifested SH prior to amniocentesis (study group). The indications for referral were similar in the study and control groups. There were 13 (1.3%) losses: 3 and 10 in the study and control groups, respectively, with no statistical difference in fetal losses between the groups: RR 1.52 (95% confidence interval 0.56-4.14; p = 0.32). Placental sonolucencies < 4 to 5 cm in diameter appear to be incidental ultrasound findings not associated with increased fetal loss following genetic amniocentesis. Complications following invasive prenatal diagnosis cannot be attributed to the presence of these common ultrasound findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Bombard
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sachs
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Finn-Powers
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Schwartz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data