Value of amniocentesis versus fetal tissue for cytogenetic analysis in cases of fetal demise.
OBJECTIVE
Use of fetal tissue for cytogenetic analysis in cases of second- and third-trimester fetal demise frequently results in unacceptably high failure rates. We reviewed our ongoing use of amniocentesis prior to uterine evacuation to determine if this provided a better source of cells for cytogenetic analysis.


METHODS
We compared cytogenetic results using fetal tissues obtained following uterine evacuation to our ongoing use of amniotic fluid cell obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis prior to uterine evacuation from 2003 to 2008.


RESULTS
In 49 of the 63 cases evaluated by fetal tissue biopsies performed after uterine evacuation, a karyotypic analysis was obtained (77.8%). Among the 38 cases evaluated by amniocentesis, an amniotic fluid sample and fetal cytogenetic results were obtained in all 38 (100%) cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that amniocentesis is a more reliable source of cytogenetic information than fetal tissue in cases of second- and third-trimester fetal demise.
Bryant Borders
Ann E
AE
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
Greenberg
Jessica
J
Plaga
Stacey
S
Shepard-Hinton
Megan
M
Yates
Carin
C
Elias
Sherman
S
Shulman
Lee P
LP
D000649:Amniocentesis; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D005333:Fetus / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third