Clinical significance of non-invasive prenatal testing in preventing birth defects

Abstract

To assess the performance of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for the detection of fetal chromosomal aneuploidies and its value for the prevention of birth defects. In total 28 033 pregnant women underwent NIPT test. The results were compared with that of amniotic fluid and cord blood chromosomal karyotyping analysis. A few cases were verified by array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH). All pregnant women and their fetuses were followed up until after birth. NIPT has indicated a high risk for fetal chromosomal aneuploidies in 186 cases (0.66%), among which 101 (67.33%) were confirmed as 21, 18 and 13 trisomies by invasive prenatal diagnosis, which yielded a diagnostic rate of 86.52%, 50.00% and 19.05%, respectively. The diagnostic rates were 81.28%, 67.85%, 62.79% and 76.00% respectively for those ≥40, ≥35, 25 to 34, and <25. And the diagnostic rates were 65.91%, 60.78%, 71.79% and 80.00% for those over 35, with high risk by prenatal screening, critical risk by prenatal screening and ultrasound abnormality, respectively. The NIPT is effective for screening common chromosomal aneuploidies and preventing births of neonates with trisomy 21, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13.