Chorionic villus sampling for fetal karyotyping in missed abortions.

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) was performed in 12 pregnant women (9-25 gestational weeks) with ultrasonographic evidence of missed abortion. An ultrasonographically guided transabdominal (eight cases) or transcervical (four cases) approach was used. Fetal karyotyping was successful in all cases; in five, chromosomal aberrations were found and in seven, chromosome analyses revealed normal karyotypes. Tissue culture for fetal karyotyping was successful in only 72.5 per cent of 40 live pregnancies which were electively interrupted because of abnormal ultrasonographic findings or an abnormal fetal karyotype, and in 57 per cent of seven missed abortions. CVS is suggested as a feasible and effective method for fetal karyotyping in missed abortions and it seems to be superior to post-abortion tissue culture.