An evaluation of 75 terminations of pregnancy based on abnormal laboratory findings at first trimester CVS

Seventy-five selective terminations, based on abnormal laboratory findings at first-trimester CVS, were performed in 1581 consecutive pregnancies. In all cases a (semi-) direct method of cytogenetic analysis was used. The 75 abortions were analysed in number of ways. Confirmatory studies showed that three cases had to be considered as false-positive findings, and in one other case the results were inconclusive. Based on literature data, it was estimated that 41 of the 75 pregnancies would have resulted in seriously handicapped children, surviving beyond the age of 1 year, if no termination of pregnancy had taken place. Negative side-effects of the procedure include: spontaneous abortion of chromosomally normal fetuses due to the CVS procedure itself and the need for a number of secondary amniocenteses (5.1%). The advantage of DNA diagnosis in X-linked diseases is illustrated by comparing the CVS results with a previously published amniocentesis study. 75 selective terminations, based on abnormal laboratory findings at 1st trimester CVS, were performed in 1581 consecutive pregnancies. In all cases, a semidirect method of cytogenetic analysis was used. The 75 abortions were analyzed in many ways. Confirmatory studies showed that 3 cases were considered false-positive findings, and in 1 other case, the results were inconclusive. Based on literature data, it was estimated that 41.75 pregnancies would have resulted in seriously handicapped children, surviving beyond 1 year of age, if no pregnancy termination had taken place. Negative side effects of the procedure include: spontaneous abortion of chromosomally normal fetuses due to the CVS procedure itself and the need for a number of secondary amniocenteses (5.1%). The advantage of DNA diagnosis in x-linked diseases is illustrated by comparing the CVS results with a previously published amniocentesis study