Fetomaternal transfusion after amniocentesis and cordocentesis

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Medicine
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Fetomaternal transfusion (FMT) is a potential complication of invasive prenatal procedures.
• Amniocentesis and cordocentesis are common methods for genetic analysis during pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively compare the extent of fetomaternal transfusion following amniocentesis and cordocentesis.
• To identify risk factors associated with fetomaternal transfusion in these procedures.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 345 amniocentesis and 268 cordocentesis procedures for genetic indications.
• Fetomaternal transfusion was assessed by changes in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels.

Main Results:

• Mean fetomaternal transfusion was 6.3 μL for amniocentesis versus 62 μL for cordocentesis.
• Transplacental needle passage and longer procedure duration were identified as risk factors for FMT.
• Fetal loss rates were comparable: 1.17% for amniocentesis and 1.2% for cordocentesis.

Conclusions:

• Cordocentesis results in a significantly higher degree of fetomaternal transfusion due to increased extrafetal compartment injury.
• Despite a nearly tenfold increase in FMT after cordocentesis, pregnancy outcomes did not significantly differ between the two procedures.