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Early amniocentesis and fetal nuchal translucency in women requesting karyotyping for advanced maternal age
Author(s) -
Salvesen Douglas R.,
Goble Orla
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.1970151013
Subject(s) - amniocentesis , medicine , obstetrics , gestation , miscarriage , fetus , nuchal translucency measurement , nuchal translucency , advanced maternal age , gynecology , karyotype , pregnancy , chorionic villus sampling , prenatal diagnosis , amniotic fluid , biology , biochemistry , genetics , gene , chromosome
Fetal nuchal translucency was measured at 11–14 weeks' gestation in 97 pregnancies referred for early amniocentesis for advanced maternal age. The nuchal translucency was abnormal in 11 fetuses and the fetal karyotype was abnormal in five of these 11 cases. The karyotype was normal in 86 cases with normal nuchal translucency. The culture failure and miscarriage rates associated with early amniocentesis were 3·3 per cent and 2·2 per cent respectively. Amniotic fluid leakage occurred in 6 per cent of cases. In women requesting fetal karyotyping for advanced maternal age without additional biochemical screening, fetal nuchal translucency should be measured at 11–14 weeks. If the nuchal thickness is ≥ 3 mm, a first‐trimester diagnostic procedure is indicated; however, if it is <3 mm, amniocentesis should be delayed until 16 weeks' gestation.