CORDOCENTESIS FOR RAPID KARYOTYPE - 421 CONSECUTIVE CASES

Between October 1985 and December 1993, 421 patients underwent fetal b lood sampling for rapid karyotyping (426 samplings, 5 twin pregnancies ). The aim of the study was to evaluate cordocentesis in terms of resu lts, complications and additional information in this specific indicat ion especially in case of abnormal pregnancy sonogram. The fetal loss rate possibly related to fetal blood sampling was 1.9%. Abnormal sonog rams represented 91% of rapid karyotype indications. Chromosomal abnor malities were found in 9.5% of abnormal sonograms and in 16.9% of feta l structural anomalies (37 cases). The commonest chromosomal abnormali ty was trisomy 21 (11 cases). In conclusion, cordocentesis is a safe a nd reliable method for rapid karyotyping although it is associated wit h more risks than in other indications (congenital infections). The hi gh rate of chromosomal abnormalities pleaded for ultrasonographic scre ening in a population usually not investigated by cytogenetic studies.