Correlation of fetal ventriculomegaly with copy number variations and pregnancy outcome

Abstract

To assess the correlation of borderline fetal ventriculomegaly with genomic copy number variations (CNVs) and outcome of pregnancy. For 84 singleton pregnancies diagnosed with VM, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) was carried out to detect the CNVs of the fetal genome. Outcome of the pregnancy and neonatal development were analyzed. The pregnant women were divided into mild group (10-12 mm), moderate group (12-15 mm) and severe group (>= 15 mm) based on the severity of fetal ventriculomegaly. The detection rate of pathogenic CNVs and pregnancy outcome were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was carried out to analyze the predictors for pregnancy outcome. Respectively, 24, 28 and 32 fetuses were assigned into the mild, moderate and severe groups. CMA has detected 15 cases of chromosomal abnormalities, including 11 pathogenic CNVs and 4 abnormal karyotypes. Abnormal pregnancy outcomes were found in 20 fetuses, including 12 with hydrocephalus and 8 with chromosomal microdeletion syndromes. A significant difference was found in the detection rate of fetal pathogenic CNVs and abnormal pregnancy outcome among the three groups (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the largest change of lateral ventricle width (OR = 1.868, 95%CI = 1.120-3.116) and the extent of lateral ventricle widening (OR = 1.571, 95%CI = 1.120-2.206) were the key factors affecting the outcome of pregnancy (P<0.05). Borderline fetal VM is associated with the risk of pathogenic CNVs and adverse pregnancy outcome. A comprehensive examination is required after prenatal ultrasound diagnosis, which is conducive to prenatal consultation and prognostic evaluation of the fetus.