Preliminary Experiences with Cordocentesis at Srinagarind Hospital

ABSTRACT

Objective      To describe our preliminary experiences with cordocentesis at Srinagarind HospitalDesing        A describtive studySetting   Srinagarind HospitalPatients   A total of 10 cases of cordocentesis performed from July 1991 to June 1992Measurements  Cordocentesis (Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling under sonographic guidance) for                        prenatal diagnosis was performed at 18 to 38 weeks of gestation on an outpatient basis    without medication. The most common indication was rapid karyotyping in late pregnancy    for fetuses at risk of chromosomal abnormalities.Results  Pure fetal blood was obtained 9 of 10 cases. The complications of the procedures were   minimal. The most common complications were bleeding at puncture site and transient   bradycardia. The laboratory results were reliable.Conclusion  This method would be useful in prenatal diagnosis and therapy of patients in the   northestern region of Thailand especially the fetus at risk of severe thalassemic diseases.