Early Amnio Increases Risk for Clubfoot and Pregnancy Loss

Amniocentesis at 15 weeks' gestation has become increasingly safe, and there are reasons to investigate whether the procedure could be performed at even earlier gestational ages. First, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), traditionally performed at 10 to 12 weeks' gestation, might not be available. And second, with increasing use of first-trimester noninvasive prenatal screening (measurement of nuchal translucency and maternal serum analytes), more women with abnormal screening results require definitive evaluation. However, several large collaborative studies have shown unacceptably high pregnancy loss rates when amniocentesis is performed before 15 weeks' gestation.

This study, funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Develo…