Can fetal fractions in the cell-free DNA test predict the onset of fetal growth restriction?

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible predictive value of fetal fraction in the cell-free DNA (cfDNA) test in pregnancies with early- and late-onset fetal growth restriction (FGR).MethodsThis retrospective study comprised 247 women who were screened using the cfDNA test for aneuploidies during the first or second trimester and had deliveries at our institution from January 2016 to December 2019. The fetal fractions of women with early- (n = 14) and late-onset (n = 83) FGR and those with uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 150) were compared.ResultsThe median fetal fractions for the early-onset FGR, late-onset FGR, and control groups were 5.7 [interquartile range (IQR) 2.65], 7 (IQR 5), and 7.35 (IQR 3.65), respectively. The fetal fractions were significantly lower in the early-onset FGR group than in the late-onset FGR and control groups (P = 0.047 and P = 0.037, respectively). There was no difference in fetal fractions between the late-onset FGR and control groups (P = 1.00).ConclusionAs a placenta-related disease, early-onset FGR had lower fetal fractions in the cfDNA test than uncomplicated pregnancies. For clinical use, lower fetal fractions can contribute as a biomarker for screening asymptomatic women for possible placenta-related diseases, such as early-onset FGR. However, more studies are needed to define the “lower” limit.

[Retracted] Analysis of Causes and Results of Fetal Growth in Utero Caused by Genetic Factors Detected by Ultrasound

“…SPSS22.0 was used to analyze the data. Count data (%) were performed by χ 2 test. e measurement data conforming to a normal distribution (x ± s) were tested by an independent sample t test.…”

“…It is listed as one of the most important common obstetric complications, which increases the risk of fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality significantly during the perinatal period. The perinatal mortality of children with FGR is 4∼6 times that of normal fetuses, accounting for 42.3% of the death causes of perinatal children in China, which is the second influential factor leading to neonatal deaths [ 2 ]. Initially, FGR is simply divided into symmetrical and nonsymmetrical types.…”

Circulating biomarkers associated with placental dysfunction and their utility for predicting fetal growth restriction

“…Lower median cffDNA fractions were observed only in women with early but not late FGR [ 121 , 122 ], suggesting that the lower fetal fraction could be the consequence of a smaller placental mass. However, other studies report that cffDNA concentrations are increased in pregnancies complicated by FGR with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry raising the possibility that fetal DNA release is associated more with chronic fetal hypoxia than with fetal size [ 123 ].…”

Application of transcranial Doppler in cerebrovascular diseases

“…Intracranial artery stenosis/occlusion mainly caused by intracranial atherosclerosis is an important factor causing ischemic brain disease and an independent factor inducing stroke recurrence (Holmstedt et al, 2013). Currently, TCCD, as the most widely applied method to detect cerebral artery, can examine the degree of stenosis/occlusion of the proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA), anterior cerebral artery, posterior cerebral artery, basilar artery, and bilateral vertebral arteries (VA) by non-invasive, continuous monitoring of the CBV (Finnsdottir et al, 2020;Spence, 2020;Adıyaman et al, 2021). Additionally, compared with the anterior circulation, there is greater tortuosity and variability in the posterior circulation; predictably, the sensitivity and specificity of TCCD are higher in the anterior circulation (Jaiswal et al, 2019).…”