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Cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) is fetal DNA that circulates freely in the maternal blood. Maternal blood is sampled by venipuncture. Analysis of cffDNA is a method of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis frequently ordered for pregnant women of advanced age. Two hours after delivery, cffDNA is no longer detectable in maternal blood.
The test was developed by Leonard Apt (1922–2013), [3] an American pediatric ophthalmologist. The test was originally used to identify the source of bloody stools in newborn infants. It has been modified to distinguish fetal from maternal hemoglobin in blood samples from any source. [4]
Cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood Requires a maternal blood draw. Based on DNA of fetal origin circulating in the maternal blood. Testing can potentially identify fetal aneuploidy [55] (available in the United States, beginning 2011) and gender of a fetus as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. Fetal DNA ranges from about 2–10% of the ...
A small fetomaternal hemorrhage could cause an increase in maternal antigens, while a large fetomaternal hemorrhage could cause fetal anemia and death. [21] [22] Fetal bradycardia, low heart rate, is another complication that may occur. [23] Most cases of fetal bradycardia are self-resolved within five minutes. [9]
Kyprianos "Kypros" Nicolaides FRCOG (born 9 April 1953) is a Greek Cypriot physician of British citizenship, Professor of Fetal Medicine at King's College Hospital, London.He is one of the pioneers of fetal medicine and his discoveries have revolutionised the field. [1]
Maternal–fetal medicine (MFM), also known as perinatology, is a branch of medicine that focuses on managing health concerns of the mother and fetus prior to, during, and shortly after pregnancy. Maternal–fetal medicine specialists are physicians who subspecialize within the field of obstetrics. [1]
Circulating cffDNA can be detected in maternal blood between the 5th and the 7th week of gestational age, [12] however more fetal DNA is available for analysis usually after 10 weeks, because the amount of fetal DNA increases over time. [13] cffDNA, RNA and intact fetal cells can all be used to assess the genetic status of the fetus non-invasively.
The fetal Rh can be screened using non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). This test can screen for the fetus's Rh antigen (positive or negative) at the 10th week of gestation using a blood sample drawn from the mother. The Unity test uses NGS technology to look for Rh alleles (genes) in the cell free fetal DNA in the maternal bloodstream.