[Amniocentesis practice assessment of the south-west Francilian network during 2003]. / Evaluation de la pratique de l'amniocentèse sur le réseau sud-ouest francilien pendant l'année 2003.

OBJECTIVES: To assess amniocentesis practice of a network during one year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective multicenter study of the south-west Francilian network, we have enrolled 2400 patients who underwent amniocentesis, from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2003. RESULTS: The rate of amniocentesis was 9.5%. The most frequent indication was a positive maternal serum screening test result (44%). The rate of global fetal losses (spontaneous miscarriage and intrauterine death) was 1.4%. Once the fetuses with aneuploidy and lethal pathology excluded, the rate of global fetal losses potentially related to amniocentesis was 1.21%. The rate of premature rupture of the membranes was 1.12% and prematurity affected 6.5% of the living births. CONCLUSION: Our study has highlighted several practices of amniocentesis within the network. Overall, amniocentesis potentially induces 1.12% of fetal losses. Screening tests are currently used sequentially, which leads to an increase number of amniocentesis and to an increase number of losses of "a priori" healthy fetus. Only the use of a combined screening could lower the frequency of amniocentesis without decreasing the detection rate of chromosome abnormalities.

Maternal mortality following diagnostic 2nd-trimester amniocentesis.

We present 2 cases of maternal mortality after transabdominal amniocentesis performed during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. In both these cases, blood cultures revealed Escherichia coli. Broad-spectrum intravenous antibiotic treatment started immediately after admission to the hospital did not change the rapid progression of the disease. Despite evacuation of the uterus within <10 h from the diagnosis of septic abortion and transfer to the intensive care units to treat multiorgan failure, these patients died. Septic abortion and septic shock following transabdominal amniocentesis are very rare; however, they carry a serious risk to the patients' life. The combination of fever and leukopenia several days after amniocentesis should alert the physician to the evolution of sepsis. Because of the risk involved, information given to the patient prior to amniocentesis should refer to possible fetal complications and to the remote possibility of maternal risks as well.

[Amniocentesis and single choroid plexus cyst. Current status]. / Amniocentèse et kyste isolé des plexus choroïdiens. Etat actuel.

Management of a patient with a diagnosed choroid plexus cyst (CPC) is probably one of the most difficult of all prenatal diagnostic problems. Similarity between the risk of chromosomopathy due to the appearance of CPC only and the risk of fetal mortality due to amniocentesis (both being about 1/200) is such that an individual approach must be adopted in each case. The couple must be given a full explanation of all the details, which will enable them to finally decide whether a conservative attitude is appropriate or, on the contrary, if a specific diagnosis should be sought by amniocentesis.

Amniotic fluid embolism after transabdominal amniocentesis.

Amniotic fluid embolism following transabdominal amniocentesis is a very rare and mostly fatal event. A case history is presented with the characteristic clinical findings in addition to disseminated intravascular coagulation immediately following an amniocentesis to assess fetal lung maturity.