Children whose mothers had second trimester amniocentesis: follow up at school age

Children exposed to second trimester amniocentesis have been followed prospectively from birth to age 7 and compared with children whose mothers declined the test. There were 86 cases and 44 controls. The main outcome measures were standardised test of IQ, academic achievement, speech articulation, visual-perceptual-motor ability, motor co-ordination, social competence, behaviour, and physical growth. The conclusion of the authors is that second trimester amniocentesis does not appear to compromise child development, behaviour, growth and health.