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Rolnik DL, Raymond Y, Lee T, Ramkrishna J, da Silva Costa F, Menezes M, Meagher S. Uterine fibroids and non-informative cell-free DNA screening results. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39177335 DOI: 10.1002/uog.29098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Uterine fibroids are monoclonal tumors, which are often genetically abnormal and associated with false-positive genome-wide cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening results, particularly when large. It is plausible that fibroids may also increase the risk of cfDNA failure by affecting fetal fraction or due to their genetic anomalies confounding cfDNA algorithms. We aimed to investigate a possible association between fibroids and cfDNA non-informative results. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of women undergoing cfDNA screening for fetal chromosomal abnormalities between 2013 and 2020, comparing pregnancies with vs without uterine fibroids recorded on any obstetric ultrasound before 24 weeks' gestation. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between fibroids and cfDNA failure, adjusting for gestational age, maternal age, weight and height at blood sampling, mode of conception, multiple gestation and test platform (chromosome-selective or genome-wide). Analyses were stratified according to the number of fibroids and total fibroid volume. The impact of fibroids on fetal fraction was assessed using linear regression, adjusting for the same covariates. RESULTS Among 19 818 pregnancies undergoing cfDNA screening, fibroids were reported in 2038 (10.28%) and cfDNA failure at the first screening attempt occurred in 228 (1.15%) pregnancies. Non-informative results occurred in 1.96% of pregnancies with fibroids and 1.06% of pregnancies without fibroids (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 2.40 (95% CI, 1.65-3.48)). The risk of failure in the first screening attempt increased progressively with the number of fibroids (aOR, 5.05 (95% CI, 2.29-11.13) in women with four or more fibroids) and total fibroid volume, with greater than a 5-fold and 14-fold increase in risk among women with fibroid volumes of 100.1-400 mL (aOR, 5.52 (95% CI, 2.30-13.25)) and > 400 mL (aOR, 14.80 (95% CI, 4.50-48.69)), respectively. Although test failure was more common with chromosome-selective than genome-wide screening, fibroids similarly increased the risk of failure of both screening platforms. Compared to pregnancies without fibroids, those with fibroids had a fetal fraction on average 0.61% lower (adjusted mean difference, -0.61% (95% CI, -0.77% to -0.45%)). CONCLUSION Uterine fibroids are associated with lower fetal fraction and an increased risk of cfDNA screening failure. The strength of this association increases with increasing fibroid number and volume. © 2024 The Author(s). Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- D L Rolnik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Women's and Newborn Program, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash Ultrasound for Women, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Y Raymond
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - T Lee
- Women's and Newborn Program, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - J Ramkrishna
- Women's and Newborn Program, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia
- Monash Ultrasound for Women, Melbourne, Australia
| | - F da Silva Costa
- Maternal Foetal Medicine Unit, Gold Coast University Hospital and School of Medicine and Dentistry, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - M Menezes
- Monash Ultrasound for Women, Melbourne, Australia
| | - S Meagher
- Monash Ultrasound for Women, Melbourne, Australia
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2
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Bromley B, Platt LD. First-Trimester Ultrasound Screening in Routine Obstetric Practice. Obstet Gynecol 2024; 143:730-744. [PMID: 38723258 DOI: 10.1097/aog.0000000000005594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Technologic advances and ultrasonographer-physician experience in fetal imaging have led to significant improvements in our ability to distinguish between normal and abnormal fetal structural development in the latter part of the first trimester. As a critical component of pregnancy care, assessment of fetal anatomy at the end of the first trimester with a standardized imaging protocol should be offered to all pregnant patients regardless of aneuploidy screening results because it has been demonstrated to identify approximately half of fetal structural malformations. Early identification of abnormalities allows focused genetic counseling, timely diagnostic testing, and subspecialist consultation. In addition, a normal ultrasound examination result offers some degree of reassurance to most patients. Use of cell-free DNA alone for aneuploidy screening while foregoing an accompanying early anatomic evaluation of the fetus will result in many anomalies that are typically detected in the first trimester not being identified until later in pregnancy, thus potentially diminishing the quality of obstetric care for pregnant individuals and possibly limiting their reproductive options, including pregnancy termination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryann Bromley
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, and Diagnostic Ultrasound Associates, Brookline, Massachusetts; and the Center for Fetal Medicine and Women's Ultrasound, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
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3
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Battarbee AN, Vora NL, Hardisty EE, Stamilio DM. Cost-effectiveness of ultrasound before non-invasive prenatal screening for fetal aneuploidy. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2023; 61:325-332. [PMID: 36273429 PMCID: PMC10577524 DOI: 10.1002/uog.26100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the cost-effectiveness of first-trimester ultrasound before fetal aneuploidy screening with cell-free DNA (cfDNA) compared with screening by cfDNA alone. METHODS A decision analytic model was constructed for 400 000 pregnant individuals with advanced maternal age who desired first-trimester aneuploidy screening with cfDNA in the USA, to compare two screening strategies: (1) cfDNA only and (2) ultrasound performed within 4 weeks before cfDNA. Input parameters included probability of fetal aneuploidy, cfDNA performance, desire for diagnostic testing, pregnancy outcomes, and pregnancy and lifetime costs and utilities. The primary outcome measure was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), in terms of cost in 2020 US dollars (USD) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained. Secondary outcomes included procedure-related loss, pregnancy termination, live birth with aneuploidy, live birth with structural anomaly and stillbirth. Discounting was performed at 3% per year with an estimated maternal lifespan of 81 years starting at the age of 35 years. One-way, multiway and Monte Carlo probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. All base-case estimates and ranges of uncertainty were derived from the literature. The willingness-to-pay threshold was set at 100 000 USD per QALY. RESULTS In the base-case analysis, ultrasound before cfDNA screening was more cost-effective than cfDNA screening without pretest ultrasound, with an ICER of 12 588 USD and higher net monetary benefit (24 241 vs 20 466). The strategy involving ultrasound before cfDNA was more costly by 544 USD but also more effective (by 0.04 QALY) compared with cfDNA alone. Base-case results were robust in sensitivity analyses with the strategy involving ultrasound before cfDNA always remaining the most cost-effective approach with the highest net monetary benefit. CONCLUSION First-trimester ultrasound before cfDNA is a more cost-effective strategy for non-invasive prenatal aneuploidy screening compared with cfDNA alone. © 2022 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- A N Battarbee
- Center for Women's Reproductive Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - N L Vora
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine and University of North Carolina Health Care, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - E E Hardisty
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine and University of North Carolina Health Care, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - D M Stamilio
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC, USA
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4
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Bussolaro S, Raymond YC, Acreman ML, Guido M, Da Silva Costa F, Rolnik DL, Fantasia I. The accuracy of prenatal cell-free DNA screening for sex chromosome abnormalities: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2023; 5:100844. [PMID: 36572107 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2022.100844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although cell-free DNA screening for sex chromosome abnormalities is increasingly used in clinical practice, its diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the performance of cell-free DNA in the detection of sex chromosome abnormalities. DATA SOURCES Medline and PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched from inception to January 2022 for articles relating to cell-free DNA screening for sex chromosome abnormalities. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Original articles, randomized control trials, conference abstracts, cohort and case-control studies, and case series with more than 10 cases with diagnostic confirmation were considered for inclusion. METHODS Quality assessment of each included publication was performed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. The positive predictive value was calculated as the proportion of true positive cases among those who tested positive and underwent diagnostic testing. Sensitivity and specificity were pooled, and a summary receiver operating characteristic curve was produced using bivariate models that included studies that had diagnostic confirmation for high- and low-risk women. RESULTS The search identified 7553 results. Of these, 380 proceeded to the full-text screening, of which 94 articles were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 1,531,240 women tested. All studies reported a confirmatory genetic test. The pooled positive predictive value was 49.4% (95% confidence interval, 45.8-53.1). The pooled positive predictive value was 32.0% (95% confidence interval, 27.0%-37.3%) for monosomy X, 67.6% (95% confidence interval, 62.5%-72.5%) for XXY, 57.5% (95% confidence interval, 51.7%-63.1%) for XXX, and 70.9% (95% confidence interval, 63.9%-77.1%) for XYY. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of cell-free DNA for sex chromosome abnormalities were 94.1% (95% confidence interval, 90.8%-96.3%) and 99.5% (95% confidence interval, 99.0%-99.7%), respectively, with an area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.934 (95% confidence interval, 0.907-0.989). CONCLUSION Although the sensitivity and specificity of cell-free DNA for sex chromosome abnormalities are high, the positive predictive value was approximately 50%. The positive predictive value was higher for sex chromosome abnormalities with a supernumerary Y chromosome and lower for monosomy X. Clinicians should inform couples about these findings when offering cell-free DNA for sex chromosome abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Bussolaro
- Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy (Dr Bussolaro)
| | - Yvette C Raymond
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia (Ms Raymond and Dr Rolnik)
| | - Melissa L Acreman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ipswich Hospital, Queensland, Australia (Dr Acreman)
| | - Maurizio Guido
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, San Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy (XX Guido and Dr Fantasia); Department of Life, Health, and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy (XX Guido)
| | - Fabricio Da Silva Costa
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Gold Coast University Hospital, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (Dr Da Silva Costa); School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia (Dr Da Silva Costa)
| | - Daniel L Rolnik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia (Ms Raymond and Dr Rolnik); Monash Women's, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia (Dr Rolnik)
| | - Ilaria Fantasia
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology Unit, San Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy (XX Guido and Dr Fantasia).
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Verma D, Agrawal S, Iwendi C, Sharma B, Bhatia S, Basheer S. A Novel Framework for Abnormal Risk Classification over Fetal Nuchal Translucency Using Adaptive Stochastic Gradient Descent Algorithm. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:2643. [PMID: 36359487 PMCID: PMC9689292 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12112643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In most maternity hospitals, an ultrasound scan in the mid-trimester is now a standard element of antenatal care. More fetal abnormalities are being detected in scans as technology advances and ability improves. Fetal anomalies are developmental abnormalities in a fetus that arise during pregnancy, birth defects and congenital abnormalities are related terms. Fetal abnormalities have been commonly observed in industrialized countries over the previous few decades. Three out of every 1000 pregnant mothers suffer a fetal anomaly. This research work proposes an Adaptive Stochastic Gradient Descent Algorithm to evaluate the risk of fetal abnormality. Findings of this work suggest that proposed innovative method can successfully classify the anomalies linked with nuchal translucency thickening. Parameters such an accuracy, recall, precision, and F1-score are analyzed. The accuracy achieved through the suggested technique is 98.642.%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepti Verma
- Department of Computer Application, SAGE University, Indore 452020, India
| | - Shweta Agrawal
- Institute of Advance Computing, SAGE University, Indore 452020, India
| | - Celestine Iwendi
- School of Creative Technologies, University of Bolton, Bolton BL3 5AB, UK
| | - Bhisham Sharma
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology, Chitkara University, Baddi 174103, India
| | - Surbhi Bhatia
- Department of Information Systems, College of Computer Science and Information Technology, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa 36362, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shakila Basheer
- Department of Information Systems, College of Computer and Information Science, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. BOX 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
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Bonanni G, Trevisan V, Zollino M, De Santis M, Romanzi F, Lanzone A, Bevilacqua E. Case Report: Challenges of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT): A Case Report of Confined Placental Mosaicism and Clinical Considerations. Front Genet 2022; 13:881284. [PMID: 35646091 PMCID: PMC9134238 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.881284] [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: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the introduction of cell-free (cf) DNA analysis, Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) underwent a deep revolution. Pregnancies at high risk for common fetal aneuploidies can now be easily identified through the analysis of chromosome-derived components found in maternal circulation, with the highest sensitivity and specificity currently available. Consequently, the last decade has witnessed a widespread growth in cfDNA-based NIPT use, enough to be often considered an alternative method to other screening modalities. Nevertheless, the use of NIPT in clinical practice is still not devoid of discordant results. Hereby, we report a case of confined placental mosaicism (CPM) in which a NIPT false-positive result for trisomy 13 required not only amniocentesis but also cordocentesis, to rule out the fetal aneuploidy, with the additional support of molecular cytogenetics on placental DNA at delivery. Relevant aspects allowing for precision genetic diagnosis and counselling, including the number of analysed metaphases on the different fetal cells compartments and a repeated multidisciplinary evaluation, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Bonanni
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Trevisan
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcella Zollino
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.,Section of Genomic Medicine, Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco De Santis
- Department of Women and Child Health, Women Health Area, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Romanzi
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Department of Women and Child Health, Women Health Area, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Lanzone
- Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Department of Women and Child Health, Women Health Area, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Bevilacqua
- Department of Women and Child Health, Women Health Area, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Scott F, Menezes M, Smet ME, Carey K, Hardy T, Fullston T, Rolnik DL, McLennan A. Influence of fibroids on cell-free DNA screening accuracy. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2022; 59:114-119. [PMID: 34396623 DOI: 10.1002/uog.23763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening assesses both maternal and placental cfDNA. Fibroids are common and release cfDNA into maternal serum. Genetic abnormality is seen in 50% of fibroids. We aimed to assess the impact of fibroids on the accuracy of genome-wide cfDNA screening. METHODS This was a prospective cohort study of singleton pregnancies examined at one of two centers in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia, between 1 November 2019 and 31 December 2020. All cases underwent pretest ultrasound examination to confirm an ongoing pregnancy of at least 10 weeks' gestation, and, at this stage, the number and volume of any uterine fibroid were documented. Genome-wide cfDNA screening was performed to detect all copy-number variants (CNV) > 7 megabases. The incidence of a false-positive result was compared between cases with and those without fibroids. RESULTS Over the 14-month study period, 13 184 patients underwent cfDNA screening, of whom 1017 (7.7%) had fibroids. Fibroids were not identified in any of the 17 participants who had a false-positive result for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X or Y. Ninety-five (0.7%) cases were screen-positive for subchromosomal aberration (SA), rare autosomal trisomy (RAT) or multiple abnormalities (MA), with 10 of these cases having a fetal genetic abnormality. The incidence of a false-positive RAT, MA or SA result was significantly higher in participants with fibroids (20/1017 (2.0%)) than in those without fibroids (64/12 167 (0.5%)). Women with fibroids were approximately six times as likely to have a false-positive result for SA, and this was associated positively with both fibroid number and volume. CONCLUSIONS Most women with fibroids do not have an abnormal result on genome-wide cfDNA screening. However, CNVs due to fibroids are associated with false-positive SA findings, although fibroids do not appear to influence cfDNA screening accuracy for the common autosomal trisomies or sex-chromosomal abnormalities. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Scott
- Sydney Ultrasound for Women, Sydney, Australia
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - M Menezes
- Monash Ultrasound for Women, Melbourne, Australia
| | - M E Smet
- Sydney Ultrasound for Women, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - K Carey
- Sydney Ultrasound for Women, Sydney, Australia
| | - T Hardy
- Repromed, Adelaide, Australia
- South Australia Pathology, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - D L Rolnik
- Monash Ultrasound for Women, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - A McLennan
- Sydney Ultrasound for Women, Sydney, Australia
- University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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8
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Brown I, Rolnik DL, Fernando S, Menezes M, Ramkrishna J, da Silva Costa F, Meagher S. Ultrasound findings and detection of fetal abnormalities before 11 weeks of gestation. Prenat Diagn 2021; 41:1675-1684. [PMID: 34643279 DOI: 10.1002/pd.6055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the proportion of major fetal structural abnormalities that can be detected before 11 gestational weeks. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of individual patient files at a tertiary provider of obstetric and gynecological ultrasound in Melbourne, Australia. All women who had a pre-cell-free DNA ultrasound with a crown-rump length of less than 45 mm and had one or more ultrasounds at a later gestation were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was the incidence of a fetal structural abnormality. RESULTS A total of 3333 cases were included in the final analysis. Overall, 316 fetuses (9.5%) had a structural abnormality detected at any point throughout gestation, of which 86 were major structural abnormalities (2.6%). Sixteen fetal abnormalities were detected before 11 weeks of gestation, including 15 major abnormalities (17.4% of the major anomalies). All major fetal abnormalities detected before 11 gestational weeks were confirmed at later ultrasound examinations or the pregnancy did not continue (in four cases due to termination of pregnancy and in one case spontaneous miscarriage before first trimester morphology ultrasound). CONCLUSION Detection of fetal abnormalities is possible before 11 weeks of gestation. Early suspicion is more likely in cases of major structural abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imogen Brown
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Women's and Newborn, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Daniel Lorber Rolnik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Women's and Newborn, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Monash Ultrasound for Women, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shavi Fernando
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Women's and Newborn, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Melody Menezes
- Monash Ultrasound for Women, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Fabricio da Silva Costa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Gold Coast University Hospital and School of Medicine, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
| | - Simon Meagher
- Monash Ultrasound for Women, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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9
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Bedei I, Wolter A, Weber A, Signore F, Axt-Fliedner R. Chances and Challenges of New Genetic Screening Technologies (NIPT) in Prenatal Medicine from a Clinical Perspective: A Narrative Review. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:501. [PMID: 33805390 PMCID: PMC8065512 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
In 1959, 63 years after the death of John Langdon Down, Jérôme Lejeune discovered trisomy 21 as the genetic reason for Down syndrome. Screening for Down syndrome has been applied since the 1960s by using maternal age as the risk parameter. Since then, several advances have been made. First trimester screening, combining maternal age, maternal serum parameters and ultrasound findings, emerged in the 1990s with a detection rate (DR) of around 90-95% and a false positive rate (FPR) of around 5%, also looking for trisomy 13 and 18. With the development of high-resolution ultrasound, around 50% of fetal anomalies are now detected in the first trimester. Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for trisomy 21, 13 and 18 is a highly efficient screening method and has been applied as a first-line or a contingent screening approach all over the world since 2012, in some countries without a systematic screening program. Concomitant with the rise in technology, the possibility of screening for other genetic conditions by analysis of cfDNA, such as sex chromosome anomalies (SCAs), rare autosomal anomalies (RATs) and microdeletions and duplications, is offered by different providers to an often not preselected population of pregnant women. Most of the research in the field is done by commercial providers, and some of the tests are on the market without validated data on test performance. This raises difficulties in the counseling process and makes it nearly impossible to obtain informed consent. In parallel with the advent of new screening technologies, an expansion of diagnostic methods has begun to be applied after invasive procedures. The karyotype has been the gold standard for decades. Chromosomal microarrays (CMAs) able to detect deletions and duplications on a submicroscopic level have replaced the conventional karyotyping in many countries. Sequencing methods such as whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) tremendously amplify the diagnostic yield in fetuses with ultrasound anomalies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivonne Bedei
- Department of Prenatal Medicine and Fetal Therapy, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.W.); (R.A.-F.)
| | - Aline Wolter
- Department of Prenatal Medicine and Fetal Therapy, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.W.); (R.A.-F.)
| | - Axel Weber
- Institute of Human Genetics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Fabrizio Signore
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Opedale S. Eugenio, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Roland Axt-Fliedner
- Department of Prenatal Medicine and Fetal Therapy, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.W.); (R.A.-F.)
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