Cordocentesis for prenatal diagnosis and therapy: experience of 461 cases.

Oh, Jee Young; Won, Hye Sung; Kim, So Ra; Koo, Bon Sang; Kim, Jong Soo; Chung, Ji Youn; Lee, Pil Ryang; Kim, Ahm

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2002;45(11):1996-2000.
Published online November 1, 2002.

Cordocentesis for prenatal diagnosis and therapy: experience of 461 cases.

Jee Young Oh, Hye Sung Won, So Ra Kim, Bon Sang Koo, Jong Soo Kim, Ji Youn Chung, Pil Ryang Lee, Ahm Kim

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
We report our experience with cordocentesis for prenatal diagnosis and therapy. The clinical effect and safety of cordocentesis were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1997 to December 2001, cordocentesis was performed on 461 fetuses at Asan Medical Center. The clinical characteristics of the patients and the results of each procedure were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at the time of cordocentesis was 25.0 weeks. The most common indication was rapid karyotyping (93.3%) and was followed by the risk of fetal infection (3.5%). Of 461 cordocentesis, 452 (98.0%) were done successfully at the first attempt. The procedure-related complications included transient bleeding at puncture site (0.7%), and transient fetal bradycardia (0.2%). There was no procedure-related fetal loss. The other obstetric complications were comparable with those in the general population. CONCLUSION: We conclude that cordocentesis is a useful, safe and effective procedure for fetal diagnosis and therapy.

Key Words: cordocentesis, prenatal diagnosis, fetal therapy