The Effect of Prenatal Invasive Tests on Neonatal Birthweight

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of prenatal invasive procedures on neonatal birth weight.

STUDY DESIGN: The present study consists of three group of pregnancies; 1) Amniocentesis group (n=97), 2) Chorionic Villus Sampling group (n=36), 3) Control group (matched patients without any intrauterine intervention, n=100). “Hacettepe University Perinatology Datae Base” is used in this study (January 2013-January 2014 interval is used for the extraction of datae). Singleton pregnancies without maternal complications (which may affect fetal birthweight) were included to this study. Exclusion criteria also includes cases with perinatal complications and fetuses with congenital abnormalities, cytogenetical problems and gene disorders. Consent forms were signed by patients prior to prenatal diagnosis and intrauterine interventions.

RESULTS: Matched patient groups were compared in terms of maternal age, gestational week and neonatal birth weight. We have demonstrated that “control” group and “chorionic villus sampling” group babies are statistically significantly heavier than “amniocentesis” group babies (p=0.01). The mean (±SD) birthweight values are 3009 ±428 gr, 3178±409 gr and 3283±358 gr for the “amniocentesis” group, “chorionic villus sampling” group and “control” group respectively. Decreased birthweight values in “chorionic villus sampling” group is not statistically significant. (p=0.74 ).

CONCLUSION: In this study, we have demonstrated that amniocentesis possibly influences the birthweight values. Decreased birthweight values may be due to the direct affect of amniocentesis itself through the depression and/or activation of various cytokines or growth factors, or the result of obstetrical problems behind the amniocentesis indications.