Factors Affecting Fetal DNA Yield in Prenatal Diagnosis
Author Information
Author(s): Angela N. Barrett, Bernhard G. Zimmermann, Darrell Wang, Andrew Holloway, Lyn S. Chitty
Primary Institution: University College London Institute of Child Health
Hypothesis
What factors influence the yield of cell-free fetal DNA from maternal blood samples?
Conclusion
Using cell-stabilizing tubes can help maintain the proportion of fetal DNA in maternal plasma during storage.
Supporting Evidence
- Total cell-free DNA quantity increased significantly with time in samples stored in K3EDTA tubes.
- Prolonged transfer times in K3EDTA tubes should be avoided as the proportion of fetal DNA decreases significantly.
- The DNA extraction kit used may influence the success rate of diagnostic tests.
Takeaway
This study found that how you store blood samples can change how much fetal DNA you can get from them, which is important for testing babies before they are born.
Methodology
Blood samples were collected and processed using digital PCR to quantify fetal and maternal DNA.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to regionalized genetic diagnostic services and sample transport times.
Limitations
The study was limited to specific storage conditions and may not generalize to all clinical settings.
Participant Demographics
Pregnant women attending a Fetal Medicine Unit for invasive diagnostic tests.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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