Fetal injury with midtrimester diagnostic amniocentesis.

One hundred seven infants born after midtrimester amniocentesis were examined. The frequency of fetal injury was 9%, and was directly related to the number of attempts at amniocentesis. All were minor cutaneous injuries except for 1 case of disruption of a patellar tendon. Suggestions are made regarding ways to reduce the incidence of fetal puncture.