Cordocentesis for prenatal diagnosis of fetal diseases

For the purpose of prenatal diagnosis, 30 fetal blood samplings were performed in 30 pregnant women from 19 to 36 gestational weeks. The samples were taken with a 22-gauge needle guided by ultrasound. Twenty-five cordocenteses were succeeded at the first attempt. A second attempt was needed in other 5 cases. The duration of procedure was less than 15 minutes in 83.3% cases. 1-6 ml fetal blood was obtained for each case. No lethal complication occured in our series. It is believed that cordocentesis could be a useful tool for prenatal diagnosis, and the intrahepatic-vein sampling is a preferable alternative choice if cordocentesis fails.