Amniocentesis in twin pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the experiences in diagnostic amniocentesis in twin pregnancies.


METHODS
The computerized database and medical records of pregnant women attending Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit of the hospital for diagnostic amniocentesis at 16-20 weeks gestation between January 1992 and December 2006 were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
During 15 years of experience, 7,890 amniocenteses at 16-20 weeks gestation were performed for prenatal diagnosis, including 174 procedures in 87 twin pregnancies. The mean gestational age at the time of amniocentesis was 17.13 +/- 3.35 weeks. Preterm birth rate defined as the delivery before 36 gestational weeks was 36.24%. The total fetal loss rate was 5.17%, however, the procedure related fetal loss within 2 weeks after the procedure was 1.15%.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our limited data and previous studies, we can counsel patients undergoing twin amniocentesis at mid-trimester that the fetal loss rate may be slightly higher than that of singleton amniocentesis.
Supadilokluck
Siraprapa
S
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Tongprasert
Fuanglada
F
Tongsong
Theera
T
Wanapirak
Chanane
C
Piyamongkol
Wirawit
W
Sirichotiyakul
Supattra
S
Srisupundit
Kasemsri
K
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D046689:Fetal Mortality; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014427:Twins