title: [Studies on safety of cordocentesis guided by transabdominal ultrasound for prenatal diagnosis].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Eugenics and Perinatology, Women and Children's Hospital of Guangzhou, Guangzhou 510180, China.
authors.forename: Can
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Dong-zhi
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yan-fang
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Jia-xue
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Cui-xing
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hui-zhu
authors.initials: HZ
authors.lastname: Zhong
mesh_terms: 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