Cell-free DNA fetal fraction and preterm birth

Dugoff, Lorraine; Barberio, Andrea; Whittaker, Paul; Schwartz, Nadav; Sehdev, Harish M.; Bastek, Jamie A.

doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2016.02.009

Cited by 65 publications

(63 citation statements)

References 22 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…The results of five previous studies that measured cff‐DNA in the first trimester are consistent with the findings of our study in that no association exists between cff‐DNA and subsequent SPTB . Two other studies that focused on the second trimester also reached the same conclusion as our study …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…One study found a highly significant association between SPTB and cff‐DNA levels above the 95th percentile in women undergoing fetal Rhesus D (RHD) genotype screening at 25 weeks of gestation . Other research showed that elevated levels of the fetal fraction of cell‐free DNA at 14.1 to 20.0 weeks of gestation were significantly associated with an increased incidence of preterm birth . Similar to our study, both of these reports studied the asymptomatic population in the second trimester, but they reached different conclusions.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

“…However, four other studies revealed different findings . All of those studies focused on the second trimester.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Association between fetal fraction at the second trimester and subsequent spontaneous preterm birth

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective To evaluate the association between the fetal fraction of cell‐free DNA at the second trimester and subsequent spontaneous preterm birth. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, data were collected from women with singleton pregnancies who underwent noninvasive prenatal testing at 14 to 25 weeks of gestation. The eligible patients were classified into three groups according to pregnancy outcome: birth at ≥37 weeks of gestation (term group), delivery at <34 weeks of gestation (early spontaneous preterm), and delivery at 34+0 to 36+6 weeks of gestation (late spontaneous preterm). Stepwise linear regression was performed to determine the maternal characteristics associated with the fetal fraction of cell‐free DNA. Logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between the fetal fraction of cell‐free DNA and pregnancy outcomes by adjusting for history of preterm birth. Results A total of 8129 singleton pregnancies met the recruitment criteria. Among them, 7790 (95.83%) were in the term group, 284 (3.49%) were in the late spontaneous preterm group, and 55 (0.68%) were in the early spontaneous preterm group. The fetal fraction of cell‐free DNA was negatively correlated with body mass index, maternal age, nulliparity, and history of spontaneous preterm birth; positively correlated with gestational age; and not correlated with assisted reproduction or surface antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBsAg) positivity. After adjusting for history of preterm birth, a logistic regression analysis demonstrated no statistically significant associations between the fetal fraction of cell‐free DNA and spontaneous preterm birth in any of the preterm groups (<34 weeks, 34+0 to 36+6 weeks, and <37 weeks). Conclusion Our preliminary study found no relationship between the fetal fraction on NIPT at the second trimester and subsequent spontaneous preterm birth.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 76%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Association between fetal fraction at the second trimester and subsequent spontaneous preterm birth

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In summary, while the pathogenesis of PE remains unclear, cffDNA may be a potential predictor of the disease prior to its onset. However, the latest meta‐analysis reveals that cffDNA is a relevant indicator primarily during the second trimester, and it is usually non‐specific and hard to detect earlier …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immune activation by nucleic acids: A role in pregnancy complications

2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cell-free self-DNA or RNA may induce an immune response by activating specific sensing receptors. During pregnancy, placental nucleic acids present in the maternal circulation further activate these receptors due to the presence of unmethylated CpG islands. A higher concentration of cell-free foetal DNA is associated with pregnancy complications and a higher risk for foetal rejection. Cell-free foetal DNA originates from placental trophoblasts. It appears in different forms: free, bound to histones in nucleosomes, in neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and in extracellular vesicles (EVs). In several pregnancy complications, cell-free foetal DNA triggers the production of proinflammatory cytokines, and this production results in a cellular and humoral immune response. This review discusses preeclampsia, systemic lupus erythematosus, foetal growth restriction, gestational diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and obesity in pregnancy from an immunological point of view and closely examines the different pathways that result in maternal inflammation. Understanding the role of cell-free nucleic acids, as well as the biogenesis of NETs and EVs, will help us to specify their functions or targets, which seem to be important in pregnancy complications. It is still not clear whether higher concentrations of cell-free nucleic acids in the maternal circulation are the cause or consequence of various complications. Therefore, further clinical studies and, even more importantly, animal experiments that focus on the involved immunological pathways are needed.

show abstract

“…Apart from genetic abnormalities of the fetus, cfDNA analysis allows monitoring pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia and preterm birth (13)(14)(15). In this case instead of a search for gene mutations, concentration of general cfDNA or fetal cfDNA in maternal plasma is analyzed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Circulating cell-free DNA concentration and DNase I activity of peripheral blood plasma change in case of pregnancy with intrauterine growth restriction compared to normal pregnancy

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. The level of apoptosis is increased during pregnancy. Dying cells emit DNA that remains in blood circulation and is known as cell-free DNA (cfDNA). The concentration of cfDNA can reflect the level of cell death. The present article is the result of studying cfDNA concentration and DNase I activity in the blood plasma of 40 non-pregnant women (control), 40 healthy pregnant women (over 37 weeks) and 40 pregnant women with a diagnosis of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). In order to explain the obtained results, a program modeling the change of cfDNA concentration under the influence of different internal and external factors was written. It was reported that, despite the fact that the level of cell death is increased, cfDNA concentration in blood can be decreased due to activation of cfDNA elimination system. A significant increase of DNase I activity has been reported in cases of IUGR. Increase in DNase I activity over a certain threshold indicates presence of pathological processes in the organism. CfDNA circulating in blood cannot be a reliable marker of increased cell death during pregnancy. Thus, assessment of the level of cell death during pregnancy should be done by simultaneous analysis of cfDNA level and DNase I activity.

show abstract

Cell-free DNA fetal fraction and preterm birth

Cited by 65 publications

References 22 publications

Association between fetal fraction at the second trimester and subsequent spontaneous preterm birth

Association between fetal fraction at the second trimester and subsequent spontaneous preterm birth

Immune activation by nucleic acids: A role in pregnancy complications

Circulating cell-free DNA concentration and DNase I activity of peripheral blood plasma change in case of pregnancy with intrauterine growth restriction compared to normal pregnancy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About