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Koukou Z, Panteris E, Manolakos E, Papadopoulos A, Papoulidis I, Relakis K, Sifakis S. Cell‑free fetal DNA at 11‑13 weeks of gestation is not altered in complicated pregnancies. Biomed Rep 2024; 20:69. [PMID: 38495346 PMCID: PMC10941718 DOI: 10.3892/br.2024.1757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-invasive maternal cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) is a promising biomarker for screening common genetic syndromes. Alterations in the expression levels of cffDNA in the maternal circulation have been demonstrated in abnormal pregnancies. However, the results are conflicting. The present study aimed to investigate whether cffDNA levels are associated with pregnancy complications. The study group comprised pregnant women who presented with pregnancy complications, such as preterm birth, gestational hypertension, intrauterine growth retardation, gestational diabetes, polyhydramnios, oligohydramnios, vaginal bleeding and placental abruption. The control group comprised women who had a normal pregnancy course. Blood samples were obtained from 500 pregnant women between 11-13 weeks of gestation. cffDNA was amplified, sequenced and analyzed using the next-generation aneuploidy test of a Panorama-Natera kit. Nuchal translucency (NT) thickness as well as pregnancy associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) and β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels were also assessed. Statistical analysis was performed in 494 out of the 500 samples collected with SPSS v.26 using non-parametric methods. The parameters were normalized by the multiples of median (MoM) method. The expression levels of PAPP-A, β-hCG, and the NT mean MoM values were significantly different between the study and control groups (P=0.005, P<0.001 and P=0.007, respectively). However, the expression levels of cffDNA and the mean MoM values were not significantly different between these two groups (P=0.687). The findings of the present study support the conclusion that cffDNA expression is not altered in a series of pregnancy complications. The prognostic value of cffDNA in predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoi Koukou
- School of Health Sciences, International Hellenic University (IHU), 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Eleftherios Panteris
- Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Emmanouel Manolakos
- Access to Genome P.C., Clinical Laboratory Genetics, 11528 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Ioannis Papoulidis
- Access to Genome P.C., Clinical Laboratory Genetics, 11528 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Relakis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Stavros Sifakis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71500 Heraklion, Greece
- Mitera Maternity Hospital, 71202 Heraklion, Greece
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Mastromoro G, Guadagnolo D, Khaleghi Hashemian N, Marchionni E, Traversa A, Pizzuti A. Molecular Approaches in Fetal Malformations, Dynamic Anomalies and Soft Markers: Diagnostic Rates and Challenges-Systematic Review of the Literature and Meta-Analysis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:575. [PMID: 35328129 PMCID: PMC8947110 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12030575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal malformations occur in 2-3% of pregnancies. They require invasive procedures for cytogenetics and molecular testing. "Structural anomalies" include non-transient anatomic alterations. "Soft markers" are often transient minor ultrasound findings. Anomalies not fitting these definitions are categorized as "dynamic". This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the diagnostic yield and the rates of variants of uncertain significance (VUSs) in fetuses undergoing molecular testing (chromosomal microarray (CMA), exome sequencing (ES), genome sequencing (WGS)) due to ultrasound findings. The CMA diagnostic yield was 2.15% in single soft markers (vs. 0.79% baseline risk), 3.44% in multiple soft markers, 3.66% in single structural anomalies and 8.57% in multiple structural anomalies. Rates for specific subcategories vary significantly. ES showed a diagnostic rate of 19.47%, reaching 27.47% in multiple structural anomalies. WGS data did not allow meta-analysis. In fetal structural anomalies, CMA is a first-tier test, but should be integrated with karyotype and parental segregations. In this class of fetuses, ES presents a very high incremental yield, with a significant VUSs burden, so we encourage its use in selected cases. Soft markers present heterogeneous CMA results from each other, some of them with risks comparable to structural anomalies, and would benefit from molecular analysis. The diagnostic rate of multiple soft markers poses a solid indication to CMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gioia Mastromoro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy; (D.G.); (N.K.H.); (E.M.); (A.T.); (A.P.)
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Ridnõi K, Muru K, Keernik M, Pajusalu S, Ustav EL, Tammur P, Mölter-Väär T, Kahre T, Šamarina U, Asser K, Szirko F, Reimand T, Õunap K. A two-year prospective study assessing the performance of fetal chromosomal microarray analysis and next-generation sequencing in high-risk pregnancies. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2021; 9:e1787. [PMID: 34486251 PMCID: PMC8580097 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.1787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Introduction of cell‐free fetal DNA (cff‐DNA) testing in maternal blood opened possibilities to improve the performance of combined first‐trimester screening (cFTS) in terms of better detection of trisomies and lowering invasive testing rate. The use of new molecular methods, such as chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and next‐generation sequencing (NGS), has shown benefits in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal and genetic diseases, which are not detectable with cff‐DNA screening, but require an invasive procedure. Methods The objective of this study was to evaluate prospectively during two years performance of CMA and NGS in high‐risk pregnancies. Initially, we investigated 14,566 singleton pregnancies with cFTS. A total of 334 high‐risk pregnancies were selected for CMA diagnostic performance evaluation and 28 cases of highly dysmorphic fetuses for NGS analysis. CMA study group was divided into two groups based on the indications for testing; group A patients with high‐risk for trisomies after cFTS, but normal ultrasound and group B patients who met criteria for CMA as a first‐tier diagnostic test. Results The diagnostic yield of CMA was overall 3.6% (1.6% in Group A and 6.0% in Group B). In NGS analysis group, we report diagnostic yield of 17.9%. Conclusion The use of CMA in high‐risk pregnancies is justified and provides relevant clinical information in 3.6% of the cases. NGS analysis in fetuses with multiple anomalies shows promising results, but more investigations are needed for a better understanding of practical applications of this molecular diagnosis method in prenatal settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Ridnõi
- Centre for Perinatal Care, Women's Clinic, East-Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn, Estonia.,Department of Clinical Genetics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kai Muru
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Clinical Genetics, United Laboratories, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Maria Keernik
- Department of Clinical Genetics, United Laboratories, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Sander Pajusalu
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Clinical Genetics, United Laboratories, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Pille Tammur
- Department of Clinical Genetics, United Laboratories, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Triin Mölter-Väär
- Department of Clinical Genetics, United Laboratories, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tiina Kahre
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Clinical Genetics, United Laboratories, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ustina Šamarina
- Department of Clinical Genetics, United Laboratories, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Karin Asser
- Radiology Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ferenc Szirko
- Centre for Perinatal Care, Women's Clinic, East-Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Tiia Reimand
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Clinical Genetics, United Laboratories, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Katrin Õunap
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Clinical Genetics, United Laboratories, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
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