Child outcome following mid - trimester amniocentesis: respiratory health and sleep habits

Objective. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of respiratory problems and sleep disturbances (sleep habit, sleep scheduling and sleep maintenance) in babies born after second trimester amniocentesis. It is first Lithuanian study analysing child outcome following mid - trimester amniocentesis for sleep and respiratory health. Methods. Analysis was performed with 3 years babies of mothers who had undergone second trimester amniocentesis (n = 50) for fetal karyotyping because of advanced maternal age or family history of chromosomal abnormality. Data were compared with children whose mothers (n=47) declined the test (control group). Results. Amniocentesis was associated with a significantly higher incidence of child sleep disturbances: 30 child (60%), comparing with control group 11 child ( 23.4%) (P = 0.001). Although there was no significant difference in the frequency of acute respiratory infections rate, stridor, apnea, we observed that 7 children (14%) had asthma in postamniocentesis group, while in control group asthma was diagnosed only for 1 child (2,1%) (P = 0.06). Conclusions. Second trimester amniocentesis does not appear to compromise child lung function development however amniocentesis may impair postnatal sleep habits.