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An increased incidence of haemangiomas in infants born following chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
B K Burton1, C J Schulz, B Angle
1University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, USA.
Insights
Infants exposed to chorionic villus sampling (CVS) had a significantly higher incidence of hemangiomas compared to those undergoing amniocentesis. This increased risk was primarily associated with the transcervical CVS procedure.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Medical Genetics
Background:
- Hemangiomas are common benign vascular tumors in infants.
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a common prenatal diagnostic procedure.
- Previous studies have not established a clear link between CVS and hemangioma development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of infantile hemangiomas in infants following chorionic villus sampling (CVS).
- To compare the incidence of hemangiomas in CVS-exposed infants versus infants who underwent amniocentesis.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based retrospective study was conducted on infants born to mothers who underwent CVS or amniocentesis.
- The study included 578 CVS patients and 445 amniocentesis patients from January 1989 to May 1991.
- Incidence rates of hemangiomas were calculated and compared between the two groups.
Main Results:
- The incidence of hemangiomas was 21.1% in the CVS group, significantly higher than the 7.4% in the amniocentesis group (P < 0.001).
- The increased incidence in the CVS group was primarily linked to the transcervical approach.
- No correlation was found between hemangioma incidence and gestational age, sample size, or number of attempts.
Conclusions:
- Trans-cervical chorionic villus sampling may be associated with an increased risk of infantile hemangiomas.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the potential mechanisms linking CVS to hemangioma development.
- This finding has implications for prenatal diagnostic procedure choices and counseling.
Abstract:
The incidence of haemangiomas was ascertained by questionnaire in infants born to 578 consecutive CVS patients and 445 consecutive mid-trimester amniocentesis patients seen at a single institution between 1 January 1989 and 31 May 1991. The incidence of 7.4 per cent reported in the amniocentesis group was comparable to previous estimates of the incidence of haemangiomas in the general population. In contrast, a 21.1 per cent incidence, three-fold higher than that observed in the amniocentesis group, was observed among CVS-exposed infants (P < 0.001). This increased incidence was largely confined to patients undergoing a transcervical procedure. No correlation was observed between the incidence of haemangiomas and gestational age at sampling, sample size, number of sampling attempts, or a history of bleeding following the procedure.