What is amniocentesis?
A puncture of the amniotic sac is called an amniocentesis.
What is the indication for amniocentesis?
- Abnormal cDNA screening (NIPT: non-invasive prenatal test).
- Fetal malformations detected by ultrasound
- Suspected fetal genetic disorders (including aneuploidies, microdeletion, microduplication)
- Suspicion of metabolic diseases
- Early growth retardation
- fetal intrauterine infection
- thickened nuchal edema
How is amniocentesis performed?
Amniocentesis is performed during continuous ultrasound monitoring under sterile conditions.
The puncture is performed with a puncture needle with a diameter of only 0.7 mm.
Since 2008, amniocentesis has been performed with the atraumatic needle developed by Prof. Dr. Michael Tchirikov ("Tchirikov 29G needle") with a diameter of only 0.34 mm to avoid the complications, especially in the presence of chorioamnial dissociation. This reduces the injury to the amniotic membrane 36-fold.
When can amniocentesis be performed?
Amniocentesis can be performed from 16+0 SSW.
What are the complications?
The complication rate is less than 0.1% for experienced fetal surgeons.
The most common complications include bleeding, amniotic fluid leakage or dripping of amniotic fluid from the puncture site and injury. To date, there have been no complications when using an atraumatic 29G needle.
Ultrasound monitoring is performed after the puncture.
