[Early amniocentesis: accidents and incidents. Study of a series of 681 single pregnancies].

The authors studied the outcome of 681 single pregnancies after amniocentesis. The advantage of this study is to determine the exact risk of this procedure, especially as far as spontaneous miscarriage is concerned. 82% of the taps are carried out between 17 and 18 weeks of amenorrhea. A maternal age over 38 years (56%) represent the essential indication. Questionable cases are presented are presented by cases of intrapartum and neonatal mortality (a case of hypotrophy with death in utero at 39 weeks; a case of per-partum death during a cesarean section). There are cases of fetal death in utero where the time between the tap and the diagnosis of fetal death exceeds 4 weeks and where there is no argument for an infectious etiology. Finally, there are several cases where the responsibility of the amniocentesis is unlikely. It often seems that the amniocentesis induces the spontaneous miscarriage of an already compromised pregnancy. Other incidents of amniocentesis are reviewed. A review of the literature has enabled us to draw certain conclusions. In light of their results and the data from the literature, the authors conclude that amniocentesis is not innocuous. At any rate, it is indicated for specific patients and these pregnancies must be considered as risk pregnancies.