Has percutaneous umbilical blood sampling improved the outcome of high-risk pregnancies?

PUBS offers distinct advantages to the perinatologist in the management of the high-risk pregnancy. Improvement in outcome has clearly been attained in the severely anemic fetus, for example, whereas fetal blood sampling has also led to great advances in both diagnosis and treatment of many other perinatal abnormalities. The exact role for PUBS in the management of problems such as intrauterine growth retardation and the fetus at risk for thrombocytopenia in ITP remains controversial. It is quite evident, however, that overall PUBS offers tremendous aid to the perinatologist in management of the high-risk pregnancy, with future promise for even greater application.