EARLY AMNIOCENTESIS - OUTCOME, RISKS, AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS AT LESS-THAN-OR-EQUAL-TO-12.8 WEEKS

OBJECTIVE: It is the purpose of this report to evaluate our experience with amniocentesis at less-than-or-equal-to 12 weeks' gestation . STUDY DESIGN: Medical records of 936 patients at less-than-or-equal-to 12.8 weeks gestation undergoing genetic amniocentesis between Oct. 1, 1986, and June 30, 1990, were evaluated for gestational age, indication, frequency of needle insertion, amniocentesis complications, and pregnancy outcome. RESULTS: There were seven miscarriages within 2 weeks of amniocentesis (0.7%), 21 miscarriages before 28 weeks (2.2%), and four stillbirths or neonatal deaths (0.4%), resulting in a total postprocedural loss rate of 3.4%. There were 26 chromosomally abnormal fetuses (2.8%). The spontaneous abortion rate in ultrasonographically normal pregnancies at <14 weeks, not undergoing amniocentesis, has been estimated at 2.1% to 3.2%. CONCLUSION: Amniocentesis at 12 weeks is a viable option for patients desiring earlier prenatal genetic diagnostic information.