Severe limb reduction defects after uterine lavage at 7-8 weeks' gestation

A 35-year-old multiparous Chinese woman underwent a uterine lavage procedure for prenatal sex determination at 7-8 weeks' gestation. The baby was delivered by elective Caesarean section because of breech presentation at 38 weeks' gestation. The child weighed 2425 g and had severe reduction defects of all four limbs. This case warrants advising prospective patients of a possible association and encouraging practitioners to mount a careful prenatal ultrasonography and postnatal follow-up of all pregnancies investigated by prenatal diagnostic uterine lavage.