Cordocentesis: role in assessment of fetal condition

Cordocentesis for prenatal diagnosis has allowed extensive progress in our knowledge of human fetal physiology. It is now being used to guide obstetric management of acquired fetal diseases (e.g., timing of delivery and intrauterine therapy). The most established indications are blood disorders (e.g., fetal anemia and thrombocytopenia) and further investigation of potentially correctable fetal malformation, but it is being used increasingly in placental insufficiency (e.g., fetal hypoxia and hypoglycemia).