[Cordocentesis for prenatal diagnosis of fetal diseases].

For the purpose of prenatal diagnosis, 30 fetal blood samplings were performed in 30 pregnant women from 19 to 36 gestational weeks. The samples were taken with a 22-gauge needle guided by ultrasound. Twenty-five cordocenteses were succeeded at the first attempt. A second attempt was needed in other 5 cases. The duration of procedure was less than 15 minutes in 83.3% cases. 1-6 ml fetal blood was obtained for each case. No lethal complication occured in our series. It is believed that cordocentesis could be a useful tool for prenatal diagnosis, and the intrahepatic-vein sampling is a preferable alternative choice if cordocentesis fails.