Limb deficiencies, chorion villus sampling, and advanced maternal age.

Record linkage between a prenatal diagnosis register and a congenital malformation register in the state of Victoria, Australia, has enabled further evaluation of the suggested association between limb deficiencies and early chorion villus sampling (CVS). We found 3 anomalies in this category after later CVS (i.e., 9 weeks and beyond), but our data suggest that advanced maternal age may be a risk factor for both terminal and all limb deficiencies. The data from Victoria are tabulated with data obtained from other registers. Different birth prevalence figures are obtained by different registers, therefore limiting comparisons between registers.