Management of Amniocentesis in High Risk Pregnancies and
The Evaluation of the Results

Osman BALCI1, Ali ACAR1, Metin ÇAPAR1, Cemalettin AKYÜREK1
H. Gül DURAKBAŞI2,  Ayşegül ZAMANİ2, Aynur ACAR2
Konya-Turkey

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate amniocentesis results applied to high risk pregnancies in our clinic.
STUDY DESIGN: In this study, we have performed amniocentesis in 16th -24th weeks of 447 pregnancies who had previous history of chromosomally abnormal fetus, high risk in triple test screening, in which abnomal fetus was seen in ultrasonography, high maternal anxiety, and maternal age 35 years old and above. Cytogenetic analyses were applied to all specimens.
RESULTS: Appropriate amount of amniotic fluid was obtained by 98.65%, the successful culture rate was 97.31%, cardocentesis was applied to only one case of 12 cases in which no proliferation was detected in culture The cordocentesis result was 47XX+18. According to cytogenetic evaluation results, chromosomal abnormality was detected in 29 cases (6.65%). In 7 patients Trisomy 21, in 3 cases Trisomy 18, in one case Trisomy 13, in 3 cases triploidy (69,XXX), in one case mosaicism (46XY/47XYY), in 5 cases translocation, in 9 cases inversion type chromosomal abnormality was detected. After 447 amniocentesis, 5 (1.11%) fetal losses developed. In 2 cases the leakage of amniotic fluid, in one case premature rupture of membranes, in one case cramps and vaginal bleeding and in only one case spontaneous abortus was detected. When the maternal educational level of the cases were evaluated, it was found that about one half of the cases had high level education.
CONCLUSIONS: If amniocentesis is carried out by highly skilled physicians and if optimal culture conditions are available, amniocentesis is a valuable invasive prenatal diagnosis method with high accuracy and safety, with minimal complications.
(Gynecol Obstet Reprod Med 2006; 12:85-91)

Key Words: High risk pregnancies, Amniocentesis, Chromosomal abnormality