Amniocentesis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Amniocentesis, including details on pregnancy, prenatal screening, diagnosis, risks, down syndrome.

Fulminant Sepsis after Second-Trimester Amniocentesis in Pregnant Women by in vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer.

Wu HH, Yeh GP, Hsieh TC, Lin KC

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan (ROC).

Second-trimester amniocentesis is a common procedure for prenatal diagnosis. Sepsis is a rare complication after amniocentesis and may rapidly deteriorate if prompt treatment, including broad-spectrum antibiotics and removal of the infected abortus, is delayed. In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is a standard final treatment for infertile women. Transvaginal oocyte retrieval is necessary for such women; this procedure potentially causes Escherichia coli attaching and effacing in the abdominal cavity. Here we report that two pregnant women by IVF-ET developed sepsis after second-trimester amniocentesis. The cause of sepsis after amniocentesis is still unknown. We provided the possibility of the causation of the E. coli infection associated with the previous intra-abdominal procedure, but it needs more evidence to prove it. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Published 17 January 2007 in Fetal Diagn Ther, 22(3): 217-220.
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