Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2002 Nov;45(11):1996-2000.

Cordocentesis for prenatal diagnosis and therapy: experience of 461 cases

• Oh JY
• Won HS
• Kim SR
• Koo BS
• Kim JS
• Chung JY
• Lee PR
• Kim A

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.

Keyword

cordocentesis; prenatal diagnosis; fetal therapy

MeSH Terms

Bradycardia
Chungcheongnam-do
Cordocentesis*
Diagnosis
Fetal Therapies
Fetus
Gestational Age
Hemorrhage
Humans
Karyotyping
Prenatal Diagnosis*
Punctures
Retrospective Studies