Amniocentesis and the risk of second trimester fetal loss in twin pregnancies: results from a prospective observational study.

Aim: To compare the rate of pregnancy loss between twin pregnancies undergoing a genetic amniocentesis (AC) and a control group with similar characteristics.

Methods: Prospective observational study on a population of twin pregnancies referred to our prenatal diagnosis unit for screening from 1990 to 2010. Those women referred for an AC were compared with those without indication for the procedure.

The prevalence of congenital varicella syndrome after a maternal infection, but before 20 weeks of pregnancy: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of congenital varicella syndrome (CVS) within the population of presumably infected pregnant women.

Methods: From 1993 to 2006, all women who presented vesicular rash or a suspicious contact were referred and evaluated in a special unit at our center. Those with residual immunity or were serologically negative were precluded from this study.