[Late gestation amniocentesis: value and risk assessment (author's transl)]

Over a 6-year period, 2165 amniocenteses were performed in 1168 women between the 32nd and 42nd weeks of gestation. There was no injury to the foetus. Premature rupture of the membranes was observed in 11.13% of the cases, which is less than the risk of spontaneous rupture (12.5%). The incidence of premature delivery was 2.8% during the first 3 years of the study and 2.6% during the next 3 years; these figures are lower than in women who do not undergo amniocentesis. The risks of amniocentesis are therefore quite acceptable, particularly when weighed against the benefits of data on foetal maturity and foetal distress obtained by the procedure. During the last 4 years no respiratory distress syndrome nor post-maturity were observed.