Genetic amniocentesis in the II Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Medical University of Warsaw

OBJECTIVE: Characteristic of patients, indications, outcomes and complications of genetic amniocentesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 420 women who underwent genetics amniocentesis from January 1999 to 2001. It was done by ultrasound-guided insertion of a 22-gauge needle from 12 to 19 week's gestation. From 9 ml to 24 ml of amniotic fluid were removed for cytogenic analysis. RESULTS: The mean maternal age was 37.6 +/- 4 years. The mean gestational age of amniocentesis was 14.2 +/- 1.2 weeks. 416 (99%) women were in singleton pregnancy, 3 (0.7%) in twin pregnancy and one (0.2%) in triplet pregnancy. The most common indication for amniocentesis was maternal age over 35 years (366 cases - 87%). Chromosomal abnormalities were identified in 23 cases (5.5%). Any neural tube defects were observed. In 6 (1.4%) cases the cell culture of amniotic fluid was unsuccessful and procedure was repeated. 2 (0.4%) women lost pregnancy during 7 days after procedure. 4 patients (0.9%) had amniotic fluid leakage, of which no ended in fetal loss. 1 (0.2%) had pain in hypogastrium after amniocentesis, all delivered at term. CONCLUSIONS: The pregnancy loss rate in women who underwent genetics amniocentesis was 0.4%. The most common indication for genetic amniocentesis was maternal age over 35 years. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 5.4% of the fetuses.