[Studies on safety of cordocentesis guided by transabdominal ultrasound for prenatal diagnosis].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the safety and efficacy of diagnostic cordocentesis during pregnancy.


METHODS
During March 1990 to June 2003, 2403 consecutive cordocenteses were performed under transabdominal ultrasound guidance at Guangzhou Women and Children's Hospital. The results of each procedure was prospectively collected and subsequently analysed in terms of operational complications and pregnancy outcomes.


RESULTS
Success rate of cordocentesis: totally 2368 procedures (98.5%) were done successfully at the first attempt, and 35(1.5%) required repeated cordocentesis, 16 of which were performed successfully at second attempt. Duration of cordocentesis: In 75.5% cases, the procedure was completed in less than 5 min, and in 93.0% cases in less than 10 min.


RESULTS
Transient bleeding at puncture site was observed in 315 cases (13.1%), transient fetal bradycardia in 125 cases (5.2%), and chorioamnionitis in 2 cases (0.1%). Pregnancy outcomes: The total fetal loss rate was 0.8% (18 cases of abortions). The rate of premature birth after cordocentesis was 0.2% (4 cases).


CONCLUSIONS
Cordocentesis during pregnancy is a useful, relatively safe, and effective procedure for prenatal diagnosis.
Liao
Can
C
Institute of Eugenics and Perinatology, Women and Children's Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510180, China.
Pan
Min
M
Li
Dong-zhi
DZ
Zhong
Yan-fang
YF
Wei
Jia-xue
JX
Yi
Cui-xing
CX
Li
Jian
J
Zhong
Hui-zhu
HZ
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000209:etiology; D017218:Cordocentesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000175:diagnosis