Early amniocentesis with the filtration technique: neonatal outcome in 123 singleton pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate results of a prospective study of pregnancies in which early amniocentesis with the filtration technique was performed at 10-13 weeks' gestation (mean 12.3 weeks' gestation).


METHODS
123 singleton pregnancies in which early amniocentesis with the modified filtration technique was performed at 10-13 weeks' gestation (mean 12.3 weeks' gestation). The amniotic fluid was aspirated into the syringe and reinjected through the filter.


RESULTS
All the procedures were performed successfully by a single needle insertion. Neither dry taps nor filtration failures occurred. The mean time of amniocentesis was 4.02 min (95% confidence interval, 3 min and 36 s to 4 min and 18 s). The karyotyping success rate was 99.2%. Temporary amniotic fluid leakage occurred in three women (2.4%). There were 110 (89.4%) live births. Two cases of stillbirth occurred at week 38 and week 40. Two unintended losses occurred within three weeks after sampling (1.62%). Another additional unintended fetal death was notified at the 20-week screening ultrasonography. The total fetal-loss rate was 10.6%. In one case, talipes equinovarus was detected at the 20-week screening ultrasound study.


CONCLUSIONS
Further studies are needed to determine the risk of amniotic leakage and its relation to duration of the procedure in patients undergoing early amnifiltration.
Farrán
I
I
Unit of Prenatal Diagnosis, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron 119-129, E-08035 Barcelona, Spain. ifarranc@meditex.es
Sánchez
M A
MA
Mediano
C
C
Plaja
A
A
Guzmán
A
A
de la Riva
A M
AM
Cabero
L
L
D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007621:Karyotyping; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome