The application of late amniocentesis: a retrospective study in a tertiary fetal medicine center in China

BACKGROUND: To assess the indications and complications of late amniocentesis and the advanced genetic test results in a tertiary university fetal medical medicine unit. METHODS: In this retrospective study, women that underwent amniocentesis at 24(+ 0) to 39(+ 4) weeks, between January 2014 and December 2019, were recruited. Indications, complications, genetic test results, and pregnancy outcomes were reported for each pregnancy and compared with those who underwent the traditional amniocentesis at 16(+ 0) to 23(+ 6) weeks (control group). Information was retrieved from patient medical records, checked by research staff, and analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 1287 women (1321 fetuses) included in the late amniocentesis group, late detected sonographic abnormalities (85.5%) were the most common indication. The overall incidence of preterm birth and intrauterine demise after amniocentesis were 2.5 and 1.3%, respectively. Sixty-nine fetuses with aneuploidy (5.3%) and seventy-two fetuses with pathogenic copy number variations (5.5%) were identified by chromosomal microarray analysis. The maximal diagnostic yield (70%) was in the subgroup of fetuses with the abnormal diagnostic test results, followed by abnormal NIPT results (35.7%) and multiple abnormalities (23.8%). And 35.4% of the pregnancies were finally terminated. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the high detection rates of advanced genetic technologies and the safety of the invasive procedure (3.9% vs 4.0%), it is reasonable to recommend late amniocentesis as an effective and reliable method to detect late-onset fetal abnormalities. However, chromosomal microarray and whole-exome sequencing may result in uncertain results like variants of uncertain significance. Comprehensive genetic counseling is necessary. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-03723-7.