EMQ — Extended Matching Question · Review
Question 30
Feto-maternal medicine → Perinatology
Classification
Question
EEMQAnswer Bank
Correct Answer
Explanation
Amniocentesis should not be performed before 15+0 weeks' gestation. Earlier amniocentesis has been associated with increased pregnancy loss, fetal talipes and technical problems including multiple needle insertions and culture difficulties. At 14+4 weeks the appropriate management is therefore to wait until the pregnancy has reached at least 15+0 weeks before proceeding with amniocentesis. This gestational restriction should not be overcome by using a smaller needle, antibiotics or an alternative invasive procedure. The timing threshold is an important safety principle when counselling women requesting definitive prenatal diagnosis.
Option Validity
B) Amniocentesis should not be performed before 15+0 weeks.
C) Needle size does not remove the gestational-age restriction.
D) Prophylactic antibiotics do not make early amniocentesis appropriate.
E) Waiting until 18+0 weeks is unnecessary when amniocentesis can be performed from 15+0 weeks.
F) There is no requirement to defer invasive diagnosis until 20+0 weeks.
G) Cordocentesis is not the recommended substitute in this scenario.
H) Invasive prenatal diagnosis is not contraindicated; appropriate timing is required.
Further Reading
Navaratnam K, Alfirevic Z; Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling: Green-top Guideline No. 8. BJOG 2022;129:e1-e15. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.16821.