Fetoscopy. A new technique for antenatal intrauterine diagnosis.

The new technique of fetoscopy is an important advance in the antenatal intrauterine diagnosis of some fetal disorders. Because it enables fetal blood to be collected, fetoscopy has a major place in the intrauterine diagnosis of haemoglobinopathies, particularly fetal thalassemia major at 16-20 weeks' gestation in women at risk of bearing such a child.