Outcome of pregnancies presenting for diagnostic evaluation of fetal trisomy

Abstract

Prenatal diagnostic amniocentesis offers an opportunity to obtain important information about the pregnancy. This study was aimed to evaluate the outcome of pregnancy in pregnant women presenting for diagnostic amniocentesis of fetal trisomy. Also, the methods of termination of pregnancy in patients with positive results were evaluated. A "cross- sectional" study was conducted on consecutive pregnant patients at risk for trisomy syndromes according to NT or NF and double marker, triple marker or Quad test. The prepared questionnaires were used for collecting the required information from patients and their medical records. All amniocenteses were performed by one expert obstetrician. The fetal conditions and anatomy were evaluated by ultrasound scan before the procedure. The collected data underwent the statistical analysis by SPSS-17 software. Of total of 557 studied pregnant women, 522 (90%) had normal result of amniocentesis, but 35 (6%) had abnormal result and had need for pregnancy termination. The justifications for pregnancy termination were issued for 17 women according, but 18 cases could not achieve the justification and terminated illegally. In total, 482 women (92%) delivered their newborn (by cesarean or NVD), of which 442 (84%) were at term and 40 (8%) were preterm. Also, babies outcomes were as following: Healthy live baby (467(50.8%)), not-Healthy live baby (16(1.7%)), Stillborn (8(0.9%)), Live born but neonatal death (16(1.7%)), Live born with death during the first year (3(0.3%)), Termination (34(3.7%)), Spontaneous abortion (9(1.0%)). It seems that second trimester amniocentesis is a relatively safe and reliable method for prenatal diagnosis. However, it is recommended to be done by well trained and experienced hands. It could find six chromosomally abnormal fetuses in every 100 cases of procedure.