Genetic amniocentesis: a risk factor for preterm delivery?

Objective: To determine whether genetic amniocentesis performed in the second trimester of pregnancy is associated with the risk of preterm delivery. Study design: Case-control study performed in several departments of obstetrics and gynaecology of nine European countries. Three thousand and ninety-one preterm births and 5298 controls randomly selected from singleton births born at term during 1994-1997 were analysed. Logistic regression models were used to compare preterm births altogether and, separately, spontaneous preterm delivery and induced preterm delivery. Results: An increased risk of preterm delivery was found in women having second trimester genetic amniocentesis after taking account of other risk factors and confounding variables (odds ratios (OR) = 1.59, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.31-1.92). The association was statistically significant and similar for spontaneous preterm delivery and induced preterm delivery. Conclusion: The study shows an association between preterm delivery and genetic amniocentesis. In view of the wide use of amniocentesis, further research on the etiologic role of this prenatal diagnostic technique is needed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.