Experience with sonography as an adjunct to amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis of fetal genetic disorders

This report summarized our experience with a consecutive series of 800 women referred for midtrimester amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis of a fetal genetic abnormality. The results are compared before and after introduction of sonography immediately prior to the tap as a routine adjunct of the procedure. Following use of sonography there was a statistically significant reduction in the frequency of bloody taps, and an increase in the proportion of successful and informative initial taps. Moreover, in many instances sonography provided information useful for identification of fetal abnormalities or for management of pregnancy. These findings support the recommendation that examination by sonography should be utilized routinely as an adjunct to amniocentesis, despite the uncertainties relating to possible long-term adverse effects of intrauterine exposure to ultrasound.