OB Flashcards
What are prenatal diagnostic tests that are available?
- Amniocentesis
- Cordocentesis
- Chronic Villi Sampling
- Ultrasound
- Fetoscopy
- Amniography
- Radiography
Different Amniocentesis procedures include?
- Chromosomal Analysis (Karyotyping)
- Bilirubin Level Determination (In fetal hemolytic
disease) - AFP determination in cases of elevated maternal
serum AFP - Evaluation of fetal lung maturity (LS ratio)
Chronic Villi Sampling Procedures?
- Chromosmal Analysis
2. Biochemical Disorders
Ultrasound Determinations?
- Wide variety of structural malformations
2. Guidance of other procedures
Fetoscopy Procedures?
- Detects hemoglobinopathies/ other disorders via fetal
blood - Directly views fetus
Radiography Procedures?
- Limited to evaluation of fetal skeletal abnormalities RARELY
Amniography Procedures?
- Detection of gross external fetal malformations
- Determination of genitourinary tract disorders
- Determination of gastrointestinal tract disorders
(will swallow contrast in amniotic fluid)
Exam timing for amniocentesis, CVS, and ultrasound?
- Amniocentesis: depends upon the procedure needed and the reason for performing
- CVS: 1st trimester
- Ultrasound: can be performed throughout entire pregnancy, dependant upon reason for performing
Who are “high risk” patients for these examinations?
- Maternal age 35 years old
(Most common, associated with ^ risk of chromosome anomalies) - Previous child with a chromosomal abnormality or positive family history
(Recurrence varies with each anomaly) - Mother is a known carrier for an X linked disorder
(This means the abnormal gene is located on the X chromosome, only MALE offspring are affected, passed from mother to son) - Parent carries to an autosomal recessive disorder that can be diagnosed in utero
(25% recurrence rate if previous child has it) - Positive family history for NTD
(NTD can be inherited as multifactorial disorders)
Potential benefits to mother for detecting?
- Termination
- Prenatal Therapy
- Aiding the obstetrician
- Referral of mother before delivery to centers where neonatology and pediatric services are available
- Prevention of unwarranted life-saving methods on a “unsalvageable” fetus
- Allowing families to make appropriate psychological and social adjustments for birth of an abnormal child
- Relief of anxiety in patients known to be at risk
What is the amniocentesis procedure?
Thin spinal needle is inserted thru maternal abdominal wall with direct real-time U/S guidance. The needle punctures the amnion to enter the amniotic cavity
**Success rate is generally high with low risk
Exam timing for amniocentesis?
- 16-17 weeks (Genetic Amniocentesis)
- 23-24 weeks (DX of Fetal Hemolytic Disease)
- 3rd trimester (Assessment of Fetal Maturity)
Complications of amniocentesis?
- Abortion
- Premature Labor
- Chorioamnionitis
- Transitory episodes of abdominal pain
- Rectus sheath hematoma
- Placental hemorrhage
- Umbilical cord hemorrhage
- Fetal injuries
Reasons for ultrasound assessment?
- Confirm IUP
- Presence of pathology
- Presence of multiple gestations
- Determination of gestational age
- Detection of congenital anomalies
- Placental localization
- Estimation of amniotic fluid volume
- Determination of most appropriate site for amniocentesis
- Determination for depth and angle of entry for needle puncture
Considerations for puncture?
- Placenta should be avoided
- Stay away from fetal head, whenever possible
- Attempt to puncture close to uterine ML to avoid vessels
- Fewer punctures assures less risk
Types of Amniocentesis?
Genetic and Spectrophotometric
What is genetic amniocentesis?
Done 16-17 weeks
Reasons: adequate amount of amniotic fluid and viable cell content is sufficient for culture
Process for genetic amniocentesis?
- Desquamated cells are present in amniotic fluid
- Fetal cells culture in approx. 3 weeks
- Harvested cells are examined
- Photographs are taken of chromosomes
- Chromosomes are matched from enlarged photos
- This is called KARYOTYPING
- Diagnosis is made of sex and abnormalities
Results of genetic amniocentesis?
90% are normal
6% are abnormal
*Normal does not mean baby will be free of malformations, because many problems cannot be detected
What is spectrophotometric analysis?
Assesses amniotic fluid bilirubin
- Begins 23-24 weeks
- Reasons: determines severity of fetal hemolytic DZ and provides an indication of fetal maturity
In a normal fetus, the amniotic fluid bilirubin concentration does what?
Decreases along a normal curve and virtually disappears by 36-38 weeks. Bilirubin levels are ELEVATED in a sensitized fetus
What is amniocentesis for fetal maturity?
Different cells can be assessed, but the L/S RATIO is considered to be the most important
*3rd trimester
What is L/S mean?
Lecithin/Sphingomyelin
Certain cells from the fetal ling alveoli produce what?
Surface-active phospholipids to reduce the surface tension of the aveoli, so they dont collapse on expiration
Premature infants do not have the ability to produce these surfactants, so they will develop?
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Secondary to Hyaline Membrane Disease
L/S Ratios greater than what indicate fetal lung maturity?
> 2
Ratios of 1 indicates immaturity
What is chorionic villus sampling?
Real-time guided biopsy for prenatal diagnosis of fetal disorders in the 1st trimester
Timing of CVS?
Approximately 11 weeks, definately >8 weeks for compression of chorion laeve and only villi in area of chorion frondosum and visualization
Process of CVS?
- Transcervical catheter into uterus or transabdominal puncture into uterine wall
- Catheter is advanced to chorion frondosum under ultrasound guidance
- A plastic syringe applies suction to obtain a small amount of villous tissue
(TransCervical for posterior chorion frondosum and Transabdominal for anterior or fundal chorion frond)
Advantages of CVS?
- Earlier determination of abnormalities (for termination)
- Results within days, rather than weeks
Disadvantages of CVS?
- If unsuccessful, amniocentesis must be performed
(Fibroids most common reason for procedure fail) - Possible hemorrhage, thus abortion
Role of ultrasound during CVS?
- Visualization of and guidance to chorion frondosum
- Documentation and rechecking of fetal heart
What is cordocentesis?
Ultrasoun guided or fetoscope-guided needle puncture of umbilical cord
Purposes of cordocentesis?
- To obtain fetal blood for prenatal diagnosis (diagnostic)
- To transfuse blood to fetus with hemolytic disease (Therapeutic)
Procedure of cordocentesis?
- 22 gauge spinal needle
- Puncture usually at placental cord origin, but can be in free-floating cord
- Umbilical vein is preferred target
Reasons for having Diagnostic cordocentesis?
- Evaluation of fetus for immunologic hemolytic disease
- Rapid karyotyping
- Detection of fetal infection
What is fetoscopy?
Direct visualization of the fetus and umbilical cord using a small bore endoscope
*15-21 weeks