Analysis of 2136 genetic amniocenteses: experience of a single physician

Between 1979 and 1984, 2136 midtrimester genetic amniocenteses were performed by a single physician at the University of California (Davis) Medical Center. The medical records were reviewed for maternal age, amniocentesis indication, ultrasound findings, location of placenta, location of the needle insertion (transplacental versus nontransplacental), color of the amniotic fluid, results of prenatal testing, complications of procedure, and pregnancy outcome. Follow-up data were available for 88% of the pregnancies. There were 38 miscarriages (1.9%), 18 stillbirths (0.9%), and four neonatal deaths (0.2%), resulting in a total postprocedural loss rate of 3.1%. Miscarriage within 2 weeks of amniocentesis occurred in only 0.4% of procedures (seven of 1918). No significant difference in pregnancy outcome was noted between transplacental and nontransplacental amniocentesis. Greenish brown discolored amniotic fluid was found in 3.6% of procedures (76 of 2136). In this group there was a 14.5% fetal loss rate with an overall 22.4% adverse outcome.