Pregnancy Loss After Amniocentesis with Double-Needle Insertions in Twin Pregnancies

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the pregnancy loss rate of amniocentesis with double-needle insertions in twin pregnancies. This was a retrospective study of twin pregnancies who underwent amniocentesis with double-needle insertion between 2010 and 2019 at a single center. The pregnancy loss rates were recorded as single or double fetal loss before 24 weeks' gestation and within 4 weeks after the procedure. Risk factors for pregnancy loss after amniocentesis were also assessed. A total of 678 twin pregnancies with amniocentesis were finally included. The pregnancy loss rates before 24 weeks' gestation and within 4 weeks after the procedure were 0.9% and 1.9%, respectively. Only one fetal loss was presumed to be a direct result of the procedure. All other cases were complicated by structural or chromosomal anomalies. Twin pregnancies with abnormal ultrasound findings had a significantly higher rate of pregnancy loss with a relative risk of 4.81 (95% CI [1.03, 22.2]). Our study showed a low pregnancy loss rate after amniocentesis in twin pregnancies with double-needle insertions technique of sampling, which can help decision making in prenatal screening and diagnosis for twin pregnancies.

Keywords: Amniocentesis; pregnancy loss; twin pregnancy.