[Outcome of pregnancy following amniocentesis in the prenatal diagnosis of genetic birth defects]

Effects of amniocentesis for genetic purposes on the pregnancy and its outcome

An attempt was made to follow to completion the pregnancies of 2049 women who had amniocentesis for genetic purposes in a single hospital region in northern England. The object of the study was to establish the extent to which complications of pregnancy and fetal problems are attributable to the procedure. Follow-up was complete in 1750 women. Risks to the mother, other than minor abdominal discomfort following the amniocentesis, were minimal. The increase in complications to the pregnancy and delivery, the occurrence of congenital anomalies, spontaneous abortion, and perinatal death, that can be attributed to the procedure of anmiocentesis fall at the lower end of the range previously reported.