Chordozentesis (umbilical cord puncture)
Chordozentesis is a procedure in which two to four milliliters of blood are drawn from the child’s umbilical cord. The puncture is also carried out with a thin needle over the abdominal wall. With the help of ultrasound, the umbilical cord can be located precisely and then punctured with a needle. This procedure is essential for diagnostics, for special questions. An intrauterine transfusion can be performed as part of the chardocentesis. Here, the fetus is given highly concentrated blood products to compensate for anemia, such as that e.g. in the context of fetus infections, blood incompativility between mother and child due to antibodies of the mother’s blood against child cells or during a transfusion between fetus and mother may occur. Such an intervention may also be necessary in the context of monitoring twin pregnancies or higher-level multiple births.
The complication rate is around 0,5 – 1,5%.