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Previous Volume 300:157-163 January 25, 1979 Number 4 Next

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Abstract

We analyzed 3000 consecutive amniocenteses for prenatal diagnosis to assess the frequency of abnormalities, safety of the procedure, technical and interpretive difficulties and overall diagnostic accuracy. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 2.4 per cent of the 2404 pregnancies tested because of advanced maternal age (greater than or equal to 35 years), in 1.2 per cent of 240 monitored because of prior trisomy 21 and in 9.1 per cent of 55 examined for other cytogenetic indications. Mosaicism was detected in 0.4 per cent, and unexpected translocations in 0.4 per cent. Amniotic fluid was obtained on the first attempt in 99.3 per cent of the last 1000 cases, and cultures established from 99.7 per cent of patients attending our clinic. The fluid was discolored in 1.2 per cent of patients, a quarter of whom had missed abortions. The rate of spontaneous abortion after amniocentesis was 1.5 per cent. There were 14 diagnostic errors, six serious enough to affect the outcome of pregnancy. The karyotyping error rate was 0.07 per cent. We conclude that prenatal diagnosis is safe, highly reliable and extremely accurate.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Browner, C. H., Preloran, H. M. (2000). Interpreting Low-Income Latinas' Amniocentesis Refusals. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences 22: 346-368 [Abstract]  
• Furrow, B. R. (1982). Diminished Lives and Malpractice: Courts Stalled in Transition. J Law Med Ethics 10: 100-107  
• Pauker, S. G., Pauker, S. P., McNeil, B. J. (1981). The Effect of Private Attitudes on Public Policy: Prenatal Screening for Neural Tube Defects as a Prototype. Med Decis Making 1: 103-114