Amniocentesis in twin pregnancies

Abstract

To describe the experiences in diagnostic amniocentesis in twin pregnancies. The computerized database and medical records of pregnant women attending Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit of the hospital for diagnostic amniocentesis at 16-20 weeks gestation between January 1992 and December 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. During 15 years of experience, 7,890 amniocenteses at 16-20 weeks gestation were performed for prenatal diagnosis, including 174 procedures in 87 twin pregnancies. The mean gestational age at the time of amniocentesis was 17.13 +/- 3.35 weeks. Preterm birth rate defined as the delivery before 36 gestational weeks was 36.24%. The total fetal loss rate was 5.17%, however, the procedure related fetal loss within 2 weeks after the procedure was 1.15%. Based on our limited data and previous studies, we can counsel patients undergoing twin amniocentesis at mid-trimester that the fetal loss rate may be slightly higher than that of singleton amniocentesis.