PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: The fetal loss rate after amniocentesis was different in previous reports. Instead of using the fetal loss rate reported by others when facing the counseling couples, the present authors sought to estimate our institution-specific fetal loss rate after amniocentesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 7,957 Chinese women in singleton pregnancy that had an amniocentesis in mid-trimester between 18-26 weeks of gestation in Shengjing Hospital for any indication. All clinical data, fetal karyotype, and pregnancy outcome were collected for analysis in the present study. RESULTS: The number of abnormal karyotypes detected in this study were 436 (5.48%). The loss follow-up rate was 0.45%. The total fetal loss rate after amniocentesis was 4.09 % including 3.23% elective termination of pregnancy and 0.86% unintended fetal loss. The potentially procedure-related fetal loss rate was lower than 0.59%. The potentially procedure-related fetal loss rate was found to be significantly associated with maternal age (> 35 years), previous fetal loss history, and abnormal vaginal bleeding in this pregnancy. CONCLUSION: 5.48% of women with amniocentesis have abnormal karyotypes and the proportion of women with major chromosomal abnormalities was even 2.20%; on the contrary, the fetal loss rate related to the procedure was lower than 0.59%.
PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: The fetal loss rate after amniocentesis was different in previous reports. Instead of using the fetal loss rate reported by others when facing the counseling couples, the present authors sought to estimate our institution-specific fetal loss rate after amniocentesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 7,957 Chinese women in singleton pregnancy that had an amniocentesis in mid-trimester between 18-26 weeks of gestation in Shengjing Hospital for any indication. All clinical data, fetal karyotype, and pregnancy outcome were collected for analysis in the present study. RESULTS: The number of abnormal karyotypes detected in this study were 436 (5.48%). The loss follow-up rate was 0.45%. The total fetal loss rate after amniocentesis was 4.09 % including 3.23% elective termination of pregnancy and 0.86% unintended fetal loss. The potentially procedure-related fetal loss rate was lower than 0.59%. The potentially procedure-related fetal loss rate was found to be significantly associated with maternal age (> 35 years), previous fetal loss history, and abnormal vaginal bleeding in this pregnancy. CONCLUSION: 5.48% of women with amniocentesis have abnormal karyotypes and the proportion of women with major chromosomal abnormalities was even 2.20%; on the contrary, the fetal loss rate related to the procedure was lower than 0.59%.