Amniocentesis – An Invasive Procedure for Prenatal Diagnosis

Abstract

The most frequently used invasive procedure for prenatal diagnosis is amniocentesis. The aim of the procedure is to detect chromosomal abnormalities of the foetus; likewise, it is an indicated procedure in cases of previously affected infants, prenatal use of teratogenic drugs, abnormal results of biochemical screening, etc. The main risk is miscarriage, estimated at about 1-2%. The abortion risk and the success of the procedure depend on the timing of the procedure (not until 16 weeks), the adequate training of the practitioner, the needle size, and the transsection of the placenta. The rate of chromosomal abnormalities for the high-risk population included in our study was 8%; 58% of these abnormalities were trisomies 21, and 25% were gonosomal aneuploidies.