Does amniocentesis process, change the uterine and umbilical arterial doppler measurements?

Background: In this study, it is aimed to investigate the changes in uteroplacental blood flow due to amniocentesis by comparing the pre and post-？nterventional uterine and umblical arter Doppler values. Methods: The study was conducted in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics of Zonguldak Karaelmas University between May 2008-2011 with non complicated healthy pregnancies who applied to the University Hospital. Eightyone singleton pregnancies between 16 and 24 weeks of gestation who underwent genetic amniocentesis were enrolled in the study as study group while 58 pregnant women with similar gestational age, having no invasive intervention were selected as control group. Pre and post- interventional Doppler values of maternal uterin, and umblical arteries of all cases were evaluated besides fetal biometric evaluation via ultrasonographic examination. Results: It was observed that, the most frequent indication for amniocetesis was the increased risk determined with the Triple Test (45.7%) and the prevalence of chromosomal abnormality was 6.2%. Neither fetal loss, nor complication due to intervention was encountered among all cases who underwent amniocentesis. No significant difference was determined between the study and control groups in terms of pregnancy complications. There was also no significant difference between Doppler values of maternal uterine, and umbilical arteries measured before and both 1 minute and 1 hour after amniocentesis. Discussion: Amniocentesis that performed to get amniotic fluid sample, do not make any alteration in uteroplacental blood flow due to intervention itself. With this point of view, amniocentesis procedure was a reliable invasive prenatal diagnostic method that can be used with confidence, when appropriate patient selection, experienced operator and close follow-up facilities were available