the role of amniocentesis for neonatal diagnosis

amniocentesis is a known and accessible method for prenatal diagnosis. it is performed after the 15th week of gestation. in this method, about 20 ml of the amniotic fluid is aspirated and evaluated for biochemical tests, culture of amniocytes for karyotype, dna analysis and linkage tests based on indication. the objective of this study was to determine the indications, results and complications of amniocentesis. we studied all amniocentesis cases that were performed during one year in behbood hospital, tabriz, and analyzed the results. in over 100 cases, the indication was being high risk based on the first or second trimester biochemical screening tests (21.82%), maternal age (18.18%), maternal age plus aneuploidy markers (14.55%), previous chromosomal abnormality in the offspring (14.55), fetal anomaly in ultrasonography (11.82%), a history of single gene disease (8.18%) unknown abnormality in family history (10%) and parental chromosomal abnormality (0.91%). after culture, we found chromosomal abnormality in 10 cases (9%) and the most common was down syndrome (70%) also a case of sma was diagnosed. we did not have any complications or pregnancy loss related to amniocentesis. in fetuses with an abnormal karyotype, the most common indication for amniocentesis was increased nt. screening for chromosomal abnormality in the first or second trimester is suggested.