Assessment of Second Trimester Genetic Amniocentesis: A Review of 6 Years of Experience at Sanpatong Hospital, A Mid-level Secondary Hospital Setting

Abstract

OBJECTIVE This study aims to assess the indications, complications, and outcomes of second-trimester genetic amniocentesis performed at Sanpatong Hospital, Chiang Mai, Thailand. METHODS A cross-sectional descriptive study analyzed data collected from high-risk pregnant women who underwent second-trimester genetic amniocentesis at Sanpatong Hospital between October 1st, 2016 and September 30th, 2022. The data include indications for the procedure, complications, and pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS A study of 451 women with high-risk pregnancies who underwent amniocentesis found that the most common indications for second trimester genetic amniocentesis were advanced maternal age (49.4%) and a high-risk Quad test (49.4%). Abnormal chromosomes were detected in 3.1% of cases, with aneuploidy the most common type (2.1%), primarily trisomy 21 (1.3%). The overall aspiration success rate was 100%. The only complications related to the procedure were pelvic pain (0.6%) and placental hematoma (0.2%). There were no fetal losses within 30 days after amniocentesis. The culture failure rate was 1.1%. Pregnancy outcomes included preterm delivery (12.3%) and normal term delivery (87.7%). CONCLUSIONS Performing second trimester genetic amniocentesis at Sanpatong Hospital, a mid-level secondary hospital, over a six-year period resulted in no fetal losses.