Genetic Amniocentesis for Prenatal Diagnosis at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital: Four years experience

Abstract

Objective         To evaluate results of amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis of chromosome abnormality at

Subjects          Nine hundred twenty patients who had amniocentesis at perinatal unit, Department of

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, from January 1, 1996 to December 31,       

1999.

Results           During four years we had nine hundred twenty women underwent genetic amniocentesis for

chromosome diagnosis. The most common indication was elderly gravidarum. Other indications were,
family chromosome disorder, previous Down syndrome, maternal anxiety and malformed fetus. We
found fifteen chromosome abnormalities. One case was contaminated and two cases had tissue culture
failure. Most of the amniotic fluid were clear, only seven cases had brownish colour, thirteen cases had
blood - stained and six cases had meconium-stained. There were 2 fetal loss in our study.
Conclusion Genetic amniocentesis were highly successful performed with low complications.
Among 920 cases, 15 chromosome abnormalities were detected at this procedure. It is a safe method
for prenatal chromosome diagnosis by well-trained operators.