These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed


  • Title: Safety of fetal blood sampling by cordocentesis in fetuses with single umbilical arteries.
    Author: Abdel-Fattah SA, Bartha JL, Kyle PM, Denbow ML, Soothill PW.
    Journal: Prenat Diagn; 2004 Aug; 24(8):605-8. PubMed ID: 15305346.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVES: To examine the safety of cordocentesis in fetuses with single umbilical arteries. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all cases of cordocenteses in fetuses with single umbilical arteries over a five-year period at one centre. We analysed the records for pregnancy details, outcomes, and procedure-related complications, and compared these to similar data for cordocenteses procedures performed, during the same period, for similar indications in fetuses with three-vessel cords. RESULTS: Twenty-nine eligible cases were identified. All procedures were performed for the indication of fetal structural abnormalities, and seven fetuses (24%) had abnormal karyotypes. The median gestational age at the time of the procedure was 21 weeks (range 19-34 weeks). There were no procedure-related fetal losses but the umbilical artery was inadvertently punctured in one case, resulting in prolonged bradycardia with spontaneous recovery. These outcomes compare favourably to those of a total of 134 cordocenteses procedures in fetuses with three-vessel cords. CONCLUSION: Cordocentesis in cases with single umbilical arteries does not appear to carry more risk than in cases with three-vessel cord, and should continue to be performed by adequately trained specialists when indicated. Extra care should be undertaken to avoid puncturing the umbilical artery.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]