[Cordocentesis--a new diagnostic approach in modern perinatology]

Between March 1987 and May 1988 by the technique of percutaneous ultrasound guided biopsy, 154 chordocenthesis in 117 pregnant women were carried out. The indications were: suspected genetic hematologic disease (7), rapid karyotyping (36), maternal infection (14), Rh-isoimmunization (42), possible fetal biochemical disease (18). The procedure was simple, the duration in the last 100 interventions less than 5 minutes. No severe maternal or fetal complications, such as spontaneous abortion, pre-term delivery, or fetal death, except 5 transient fetal bradycardias, were observed.