Safety of fetal blood sampling by cordocentesis in fetuses with single umbilical arteries.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the safety of cordocentesis in fetuses with single umbilical arteries.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of all cases of cordocenteses in fetuses with single umbilical arteries over a five-year period at one centre. We analysed the records for pregnancy details, outcomes, and procedure-related complications, and compared these to similar data for cordocenteses procedures performed, during the same period, for similar indications in fetuses with three-vessel cords.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine eligible cases were identified. All procedures were performed for the indication of fetal structural abnormalities, and seven fetuses (24%) had abnormal karyotypes. The median gestational age at the time of the procedure was 21 weeks (range 19-34 weeks). There were no procedure-related fetal losses but the umbilical artery was inadvertently punctured in one case, resulting in prolonged bradycardia with spontaneous recovery. These outcomes compare favourably to those of a total of 134 cordocenteses procedures in fetuses with three-vessel cords.


CONCLUSIONS
Cordocentesis in cases with single umbilical arteries does not appear to carry more risk than in cases with three-vessel cord, and should continue to be performed by adequately trained specialists when indicated. Extra care should be undertaken to avoid puncturing the umbilical artery.
Fetal Medicine Research Unit, University of Bristol, St Michael's Hospital, Southwell Street, Bristol, UK. sherif.abdel-fattah@bristol.ac.uk
Sherif A
SA
Abdel-Fattah
Jose L
JL
Bartha
Phillipa M
PM
Kyle
Mark L
ML
Denbow
Peter W
PW
Soothill
D002869:Chromosome Aberrations; D017218:Cordocentesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014469:Umbilical Arteries / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000293:injuries