Management of Prenatally Detected Nonlethal Fetal Anomalies: Is a Karyotype of Benefit?

Cynthia G. Brumfield; Richard Davis; John C. Hauth; Paula Cosper; Edward V. Colvin; Sara C. Finley

doi:10.1055/s-2007-999391

American Journal of Perinatology, Table of Contents

Am J Perinatol 1991; 8(4): 255-258
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-999391

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Management of Prenatally Detected Nonlethal Fetal Anomalies: Is a Karyotype of Benefit?

Cynthia G. Brumfield, Richard 0. Davis, John C. Hauth, Paula Cosper, Edward V. Colvin, Sara C. Finley

The Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Laboratory of Medical Genetics, and the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The pregnancy outcomes of 155 women who underwent an amniocentesis for a prenatal karyotype after being diagnosed by ultrasound as having one or more nonlethal structural anomalies are presented. Thirty-three (21%) patients were found to have an abnormal karyotype. Knowledge of the prenatal karyotype was useful in the subsequent management of these pregnancies. A pregnancy with a fetal anomaly diagnosed prior to 24 weeks was more likely to be terminated if an abnormal karyotype was also present. In women who were diagnosed as having a fetal anomaly with an abnormal karyotype at 24 weeks or later, only 3 of 13 (23%) infants survived the neonatal period. Knowledge of the karyotype results influenced decisions regarding the place, timing, and route of delivery in these fetuses. In 32 women, (21%) a karyotype was beneficial by avoiding maternal transport, cesarean delivery, and neonatal expenses at a Level III perinatal center.

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