American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 200, Issue 1 , Pages 98.e1-98.e6, January 2009

Quantification of cell free fetal DNA in maternal plasma in normal pregnancies and in pregnancies with placental dysfunction

  • Medhat S. Alberry, MRCOG

      Affiliations

    • Department of Fetal Medicine, University of Bristol, St Michael's Hospital, Bristol, UK
    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ain-Shams University Maternity Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
    • ,
  • Deborah G. Maddocks, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Centre for Research in Biomedicine, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
    • ,
  • Medhat A. Hadi, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ain-Shams University Maternity Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
    • ,
  • Helmi Metawi, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ain-Shams University Maternity Hospital, Cairo, Egypt
    • ,
  • Linda P. Hunt, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Child Life and Health, University of Bristol at South Bristol, Bristol, UK
    • ,
  • Sherif A. Abdel-Fattah, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Fetal Medicine, University of Bristol, St Michael's Hospital, Bristol, UK
    • ,
  • Neil D. Avent, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Centre for Research in Biomedicine, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
    • ,
  • Peter W. Soothill, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Bristol, St Michael's Hospital, Bristol, UK

Received 24 January 2008; received in revised form 13 May 2008; accepted 28 July 2008.

Objective

To assess the normal levels of free fetal DNA in maternal plasma through pregnancy compared with those in pregnancies complicated with placental dysfunction manifested by preeclampsia and/or fetal growth restriction.

Study Design

Maternal blood samples from 138 singleton male pregnancies were divided into 3 groups; normal pregnancies (77), preeclampsia (49), and fetal growth restriction (12). Royston and Wright's methods were used to calculate gestational age-related reference limits of free fetal DNA in the 3 groups. The DYS14 gene of the Y chromosome was quantified and compared in maternal plasma by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Free fetal DNA in normal pregnancies increased with gestational age. Results were significantly higher in preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction groups than in normal pregnancy and were higher in severe preeclampsia than in milder disease.

Conclusion

Free fetal DNA is a potential marker for placental dysfunction in pregnancy. Large prospective studies are now needed to investigate its role in the prediction of pregnancy complications and severity and or timing of delivery.

Key words: fetal DNA, fetal growth restriction, normal pregnancy, preeclampsia

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 This study was funded by the European SAFE Network of Excellence.

 Cite this article as: Alberry MS, Maddocks DG, Hadi MA, et al. Quantification of cell free fetal DNA in maternal plasma in normal pregnancies and pregnancies with placental dysfunction. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009;200:98.e1-98.e6.

 Reprints not available from the authors.

PII: S0002-9378(08)00883-1

doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2008.07.063

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 200, Issue 1 , Pages 98.e1-98.e6, January 2009

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