Elevated fetal fraction levels at 14.1-20.0 weeks' gestation were significantly associated with an increased incidence of preterm birth. Our findings warrant future exploration including validation in a larger, general population and investigation of the potential mechanisms that may be responsible for the initiation of preterm labor associated with increased fetal cell-free DNA.
Enoxaparin therapy and obesity were associated with an increased incidence of a failed cfDNA test due to low FF. Further research is needed to determine the mechanism by which anticoagulation therapy alters cfDNA test functionality and identify approaches to improve test performance in these women.
(Abstracted from Prenat Diagn 2017;37:1125–1129)
Fetal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening has been established as a screening method for trisomies 13, 18, and 21, as well as sex chromosome aneuploidies. Despite its rapid technological advancement since becoming clinically available in 2011, some women do not receive valid results after undergoing cfDNA testing because of a low fetal fraction (FF).
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