Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) is a valued method of prenatal diagnosis that is used world-wide by thousands of pregnant women. It was popular initially because it could be performed earlier than amniocentesis, possibly at 8 to 10 weeks of gestation. Later, it was the preferred method for prenatal diagnosis that used DNA-based assays.
Beginning in 1991 there were reports of infants born with serious limb deficiencies, and sometimes other birth defects (hemangiomas and cranial nerve palsies), who had been exposed to the CVS procedure. The initial analyses produced conflicting conclusions. There was a consensus that the greatest danger was from the earliest procedures. Therefore, it was recommended that CVS be performed after 10 weeks gestation.
Information about the Chorionic Villus Sampling Birth Defects Registry
The purpose of the CVS Birth Defects Registry is to obtain more information about CVS-exposed children with any type of birth defect or hemangioma. One important question to be resolved is whether there is anything distinctive about the birth defects. We invite the parents or doctors to enroll any CVS-exposed child with any types of structural malformations or birthmarks. All information obtained will be kept confidential.
