Similar risk for hemangiomas after amniocentesis and transabdominal chorionic villus sampling

In an earlier study we have shown that transcervical chorionic villus sampling in excess of 90 mg increases the risk for hemangiomas of infancy three- to four-fold compared to amniocentesis. In the present study we investigated whether transabdominal chorionic villus sampling (TA-CVS), in which the samples are smaller, carries the same risk.

Retrospectively, data were analyzed from 200 consecutive TA-CVS procedures and 200 consecutive amniocentesis procedures. Forty-two TA-CVS procedures and 27 amniocentesis procedures were excluded on predefined criteria. Questionnaires were sent to the parents asking if there was any skin mark on the child: vascular, pigmented or otherwise. All hemangiomas were clinically confirmed.

In the TA-CVS group, 118/158 questionnaires (75%), and in the amniocentesis group 134/173 questionnaires (77%) were returned. Based on the results of the questionnaire (i.e. mentioning of any skin lesion), 24 children in the TA-CVS group and 42 children in the amniocentesis group qualified for a physical examination. In the TA-CVS group 11/118 children (9%) had one or more hemangiomas. In the amniocentesis group 6/134 children (4%) had one or more hemangiomas. There was no statistical difference between the two groups (P = 0134).

These results suggest that TA-CVS does not cause an increase in the prevalence of hemangioma compared to amniocentesis. A larger series is, however, necessary to confirm this.