AMNIOCENTESIS BEFORE 15 WEEKS GESTATION - TECHNICAL ASPECTS AND OBSTETRIC RISKS

In a prospective case-control study, early amniocenteses (EAC, n = 242 ) at between 12 and 14 weeks gestation, were compared with standard am niocenteses (SAC, n = 242) performed at between 15 and 24 weeks gestat ion. The medical records of these 484 cases were reviewed for indicati ons, success rate, color and volume of amniotic fluid, gestational age , number of needle insertions, location of the placenta, culture failu re rate, obstetric complications and therapeutic abortion rate. There were no significant differences between the two groups in success rate , in culture success rate or in the outcome of the pregnancies. The vo lume of the sample taken was smaller in the EAC patients (P < 0.001), and therapeutic abortions were performed significantly earlier (P < 0. 02.) Results show that EAC is feasible from 11 weeks' gestation, and c an be performed for the usual indications as an alternative to chorion ic villus sampling. In the near future, cytogenetic techniques will en able results to be obtained in less than a week.