The rate of undetectable genetic causes by Cell-free DNA test in congenital heart defects

Abstract

Objective The study aimed to estimate the rate of genetic causes that were undetectable by Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) test in prenatally diagnosed congenital heart defect (CHD) cases based on an assumption that cfDNA would accurately detect common aneuploidies including trisomy 21/18/13/45X, and del22q11.2. Methods This study included prenatally diagnosed CHD cases with diagnostic genetic results. The possibility of false-positive/negative results from cfDNA testing was discarded. Thus, cfDNA results would be positive in common aneuploidies or del22q11.2 and negative in normal diagnostic genetic testing results or other genetic conditions. The rate of genetic causes that were undetectable by cfDNA test was estimated for all cases as well as for CHD subgroups. Results Of 302 cases, 98 (34.8%) had a type of genetic abnormalities, with 67 having common aneuploidies or del22q11.2 and 31 having other genetic conditions. The rate of genetic causes that were undetectable by cfDNA test in CHD cases was 13.2% among those with assumingly negative cfDNA screen results and 10.3% among the entire study population. These rates were similar between CHD subgroups (p > .05). The rate of genetic causes that were undetectable by cfDNA test was higher in the non-isolated cases than in the isolated ones among those with assumingly negative-screen results (20.5% and 9.9%, respectively, p = .025). Conclusion In prenatally diagnosed CDH cases, a significant number of chromosomal abnormalities are still identified after diagnostic testing even if cfDNA screen is negative, and thus it is important to extensively counsel patients with negative cfDNA screen carrying a CHD-affected fetus.