title: Value of amniocentesis versus fetal tissue for cytogenetic analysis in cases of fetal demise.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Ann E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Bryant Borders
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: Stacey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Plaga
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shepard-Hinton
authors.forename: Carin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yates
authors.forename: Sherman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elias
authors.forename: Lee P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Shulman
mesh_terms: 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