ULTRASONOGRAPHY-GUIDED EARLY AMNIOCENTESIS IN SINGLETON PREGNANCIES

Between October 1, 1986, and September 30, 1987, 1721 amniocenteses were performed at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center. Of these procedures 527 (30.6%) were early amniocenteses. Medical records were reviewed for maternal age, amniocentesis indication, color of amniotic fluid, gestational age, frequency of needle insertion, complications of amniocentesis and delivery, results of prenatal testing, and pregnancy outcome. Complete follow-up data were available for 517 (98.1%). There were 10 miscarriages before 28 weeks' gestation (1.9%), one loss after 28 weeks (0.2%), and one stillbirth (0.2%), resulting in a total postprocedural loss rate of 2.3%. Miscarriage within 2 weeks of amniocentesis occurred in four subjects (0.8%). © 1990.