Cordocentesis for rapid karyotyping.

Pure fetal blood was obtained by cordocentesis in 101 fetuses of 96 patients at 15 to 38 weeks' gestation. Rapid karyotype was obtained within 2 to 4 days by fetal lymphocyte culture. Chromosomal abnormality was detected in 12 (11.9%) fetuses. Abnormal karyotype was found in 5 of 44 fetuses with structural malformations, 3 of 13 fetuses with intrauterine growth retardation or oligohydramnios, 1 of 3 fetuses with nonimmune hydrops fetalis, 2 (one monozygotic set) of 10 discordant twins, 1 of 12 isoimmunized gestations, none of 8 cases with advanced gestational-maternal age, and none of 6 immune thrombocytopenia cases. This suggests that rapid karyotype should be obtained in all cases of fetal structural malformations, intrauterine growth retardation, and nonimmune fetal hydrops, and may be obtained incidentally in isoimmunized pregnancies and discordant twins to assist in clinical management.