EARLY AMNIOCENTESIS - EXPERIENCE OF 222 CONSECUTIVE PATIENTS, 1987-1988

Early amniocentesis from 9 to 14 weeks' gestation provides a safe and accurate method of prenatal diagnosis of cytogenetic and biochemical disorders. There was a 100 per cent success rate in culturing the amniotic cells from 222 samples obtained between 9 and 14 weeks' gestation. Follow‐up of the patients to delivery revealed an abortion rate of 1·4 per cent. Among the 207 live‐ and stillborn infants, only one had a congenital abnormality (bilateral talipes equino‐varus) and no infant had respiratory distress syndrome or pneumonia. Eleven pregnancies were terminated following the detection of a chromosomal, biochemical, or congenital abnormality (5·0 per cent). However, before the procedure of early amniocentesis becomes routine clinical practice, it requires appraisal by a randomized clinical trial. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.