Amniocentesis for antenatal diagnosis. Review of problems and outcomes in a large series.

The results of amniocentesis for diagnostic genetic studies on 242 patients are presented in detail. These suggest that obtaining fluid free from contaminating red blood cells is important to successful cell culture. The data also suggest that it is technically more difficult to obtain such fluid tham might be expected, despite the use of ultrasonic localization and experienced operators. Nevertheless, 97 per cent of patients who elect to complete antenatal diagnosis will ultimately obtain the information sought, in time to intervene medically if desired. Moreover, the act of obtaining this information is shown to be without significant risk to the ultimate outcome of pregnancy.