The effects of mid-trimester amniocentesis on lung function in the neonatal period

Lung function tests were carried out on 39 healthy full term babies born after pregnancies subjected to mid-trimester amniocentesis. The results were compared to 42 babies born after normal pregnancies. There were no significant differences in gestational age, birth weight, thoracic gas volume or crying vital capacity. Babies subjected to amniocentesis had a significantly lower dynamic compliance (6.96 ml/cm H2O vs. 8.60 ml/cm H2O) and tended to have higher resistance compared to controls (52.8 cm H2O/l/s vs. 37.3 cm H2O/l/s). This provides further evidence that mid-trimester amniocentesis does have an adverse effect on lung growth and development.