INDICATIONS AND COMPLICATIONS OF CHORIONIC VILLUS SAMPLING

CHORIONIC VILLUS SAMPLING

Abstract

A descriptive study was conducted to highlight the use of Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) as a method of prenatal diagnosis in the first and the early second trimester of pregnancy and to identify the complications occurring in these patients. 264 patients were recruited from the antenatal clinics for this purpose on the basis of high risk factors in their history. The main indications for which CVS was carried out in the study were screening for Thalasemia, Down’s syndrome, Hemophilia, Douchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.

The Double Needle Technique was used to perform CVS through transabdominal route under ultrasound guidance. Difficulties were encountered due to obesity, posterior low lying placenta, anterior uterine wall fibroid and extremely anxious patients. Early complications included amniotic cavity puncture in 1.5%, uterine cramps in 1.89%, vaginal bleeding in 1.1%, vaginal leaking and chorioamnionitis in 0.3% of the patients. Abortions both spontaneous and missed were seen in 4.1% of the cases. Abortions occurring till two weeks after CVS were considered as procedure related.