Indications for invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures at a dedicated fetal medicine centre: an 8 year audit 2003-2010

OBJECTIVE: Analyze indications and type of prenatal diagnostic procedures performed.
METHOD: This retrospective audit was conducted at a dedicated fetal medicine center in Petaling Jaya. All invasive prenatal diagnosis procedures performed from 2003 up until 2010 (amniocentesis, chorionic villous sampling and fetal blood sampling) were analyzed.
RESULT: A total of 1560 invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures were performed during the 8 year period. Advanced maternal age is the leading indication for invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures followed by fetal abnormalities. The fetal loss rate was 0.2% for amniocentesis and 1.2% for CVS.
CONCLUSION: Advanced maternal age is the leading indication for invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures at this centre but is on a declining trend. The fetal loss rates are comparable to auditable standards set by professional bodies, in this case, the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists of London.