What is a significant risk associated with amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling?

• A. Infection
• B. Genetic mutation
• C. Miscarriage
• D. False positives

Answer: (C)

Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) are both prenatal diagnostic procedures that involve obtaining samples from the amniotic fluid or placental tissue to test for genetic and chromosomal disorders. One of the significant risks associated with these invasive procedures is miscarriage.

The process of obtaining samples involves inserting a needle into the uterus (in the case of amniocentesis) or a catheter to collect villi (in CVS). This can sometimes lead to complications such as fetal injury or the triggering of labor, which can unfortunately result in miscarriage. Studies have shown that while the risk of miscarriage from these procedures is relatively low, it is still a crucial consideration for expecting parents when deciding whether to proceed with testing.

Other risks exist, such as infection or false positives; however, the miscarriage risk is often highlighted because it is a direct concern during the pregnancy and can have significant emotional and physical repercussions.