Amniocentesis

Abstract

Amniocentesis was first introduced at the beginning of this century for the relief of increased pressure due to excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid in the pregnant uterus. Two main categories for usage of this procedure have been developed, i.e., for therapeutic indications and for diagnostic reasons. The risks of the procedure in later pregnancy have been reported to be greater than when employed at 16-17 weeks of gestation for the purpose of prenatal diagnosis of genetic and developmental defects of the uterus. With the advent of ultrasound techniques and with a few technical precautions the procedure for prenatal diagnosis has become a safe, accurate and acceptable method of clinical practice. The precise technique of abdominal puncture guided by ultrasound information is described in detail.