Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling: indication changes and procedure loss rate in a nine years' experience

A 9 years' experience with percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS) has been appraised. A total number of 1,272 procedures have been performed in our institution between 1986 and 1994; 861 before the 24th week of gestation and 411 after 24 weeks. The indications for PUBS changed throughout these years because of the rapid evolution of molecular biology and because of the fact that certain conditions can now be diagnosed at earlier stages of gestation by chorionic villi sampling and amniocentesis. Sampling at a later gestational age reflected changes in indications. PUBS loss rate has been calculated for 482 fetuses less than 24 weeks, retrospectively found to be negative for the suspected condition and has been related to gestational age, duration of the procedure and number of needle insertions. Total procedure-related loss rate was 2.3%: 1.6% intrauterine fetal deaths within 48 h of the procedure and 0.7% spontaneous abortions in the 2 weeks following the procedure. Gestational age at the time of the procedure and duration of the procedure were significantly related to fetal losses within 48 h.