title: Elective cytogenetic amniocentesis in the third trimester for pregnancies with high risk factors.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to report the findings in 14 women with extremely high risk ('precious') pregnancies, 5 of whom had twins, who underwent elective third-trimester cytogenetic amniocentesis. There were no procedure-related complications, and all newborns weighed more than 2000 g and showed normal development. This practice is accepted under Israeli law and our institutional policy. This preliminary work does not attempt to answer the moral and ethical questions surrounding the use of third (versus second) trimester amniocentesis in either 'precious' or normal pregnancies. We do show, however, that the procedure is safe and may constitute a good alternative for patients who are unwilling to accept the risks of early fetal karyotyping.
authors.affiliation: Ultrasound Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shalev
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Meizner
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rabinerson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mashiach
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peleg
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Orvieto
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Levi
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ben-Rafael
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D007621:Karyotyping; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D013997:Time Factors; D014427:Twins