Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2005 Jan;48(1):58-65.

Clinical review of midtrimester amniocentesis

• Lee HJ
• Choi H
• Ko JK
• Lee CM
• Cho YK
• Kim BL
• Lee HK
• Lee UJ
• Ryu SH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To compare the usefulness of prenatal screening tests for chromosomal abnormalities by analyzing the cytogenetic results of midtrimester amniocentesis
METHODS
We reviewed a total of 1264 cases of midtrimester prenatal genetic amniocentesis performed from February 1997 to September 2003, of which accorded to indications of cytogenetic studies. Cytogenetic results were analyzed with the distribution of maternal age, indications of amniocentesis.
RESULTS
The most common age of total subjects was in between 35-39 years (37.1%). The indications of amniocentesis were abnormal maternal serum marker (60.0%), advanced maternal age (34.8%), abnormal ultrasonographic findings (3.2%), in order. The overall incidence of chromosomal aberration was 3.9% (49/1264). No significant difference was found between the mean maternal age with and without abnormal fetal karyotype. According to indications, there was 12.5% (5/49) of chromosomal abnormalities in abnormal sonographic finding group, 5.2% (36/688) in abnormal maternal serum screening group and 2.4% (12/498) in advanced maternal age group. There was statistical significance (P=0.004) only in abnormal ultrasonographic finding group.
CONCLUSION
Ultrasonography was become to be more important due to development of high resolution ultrasonography, skillful technique and awareness of sonographic markers. Ultrasonographic abnormality could be the most predictive marker for abnormal fetal karyotypes.

Keyword

Amniocentesis; Chromosomal abnormality; Ultrasonography; Prenatal screening

MeSH Terms

Amniocentesis*
Biomarkers
Chromosome Aberrations
Cytogenetics
Female
Humans
Incidence
Karyotype
Mass Screening
Maternal Age
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, Second*
Prenatal Diagnosis
Ultrasonography