ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2004 December;163(6):249-56

Copyright © 2004 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital diseases: five years experience of prenatal diagnosis centre at the Second University of Naples

Borrelli A. L., Valerio D., Zurzolo V. S., Felicetti M., Di Domenico A., Laboccetta A., Corcione M., Torella M.

Department of Obstetric, Gynecology and Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Second University of Naples

Aim. Refer about the activities of Prenatal Diagnosis Centre (PDC) at the 2nd University of Naples between January 1999 and December 2003.
Methods. The Center’s activities have been carried out in various fields: a) 1st trimester screening of cromosomopathies; b) prenatal invasive diagnosis of chromosomopathies and some genetic diseases; c) diagnosis and management of infections in pregnancy; d) echographic diagnosis of fetal malformations with particular reference to cardiopathies studied using echocardiography.
Results. We haven’t definitive results about 1st trimester screening of cromosomopathies because we examinated small cases; 2 401 prenatal diagnoses have been carried out using invasive techniques. The main area consisted in the prenatal diagnosis of chromosomopathies and above all of the Downs’ syndrome, amniocentesis was the technique used most. The number of chromosomopathies found and the number of abortions following the use of invasive techniques were within the national average. The prenatal diagnosis and the management of infections in pregnancy has considerably reduced the number of IVG. We have diagnosticated fetal important malformations in 1.3% and congenital hart desease in 0.4% of the ultrasonography examinations.
Conclusion. The continuous increase in our activities enables us to affirm that the Prenatal Diagnosis Centre at the 2nd University of Naples is now an important point of reference in the region of Campania for the prevention and early diagnosis of congenital defects.