Cases Of Sex Chromosome Aneuploidies Research Articles

Diagnostic accuracy of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal blood in detecting chromosomal anomalies in twin pregnancy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

To report the diagnostic accuracy of cell-free fetal DNA (cfDNA) in maternal blood in detecting fetal chromosomal anomalies in twin pregnancy. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to November 2023. The inclusion criteria were twin pregnancy undergoing cfDNA screening for trisomies 21, 18 and 13, monosomy X and/or other sex-chromosome aneuploidies (SCA). The index test was cfDNA screening. The reference standard was pre- or postnatal karyotyping (in the case of a positive cfDNA result) or neonatal phenotypic assessment (in case of a negative cfDNA result). The quality of included studies was assessed using the revised quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS-2) tool. Summary estimates of diagnostic accuracy were computed using a bivariate random-effects model. Thirty-five studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. cfDNA had a high accuracy in detecting trisomy 21 in twin pregnancy, with a sensitivity of 98.8% (95% CI, 96.5-100%) and specificity of 100% (95% CI, 99.9-100%). Sensitivity and specificity were 94.9% (95% CI, 75.9-99.1%) and 100% (95% CI, 99.9-100%), respectively, for trisomy 18 and 84.6% (95% CI, 54.6-98.1%) and 100% (95% CI, 99.9-100%), respectively, for trisomy 13. We could not compute the diagnostic accuracy of cfDNA in detecting monosomy X, owing to an absence of positive cases, while cfDNA had a sensitivity of 100% (95% CI, 71.5-100%) and specificity of 99.8% (95% CI, 99.7-99.9%) for other SCA. The accuracy of cfDNA in detecting the common trisomies was similar in dichorionic and monochorionic twin pregnancies. cfDNA has high diagnostic accuracy in detecting trisomies 21 and 18 in twin pregnancy, irrespective of chorionicity. Estimation of diagnostic accuracy for trisomy 13 and other SCA was limited by the small number of affected cases and the difficulty associated with detecting false-negative cases of other SCA, and thus requires confirmation in larger studies. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Report content and prenatal diagnosis of non-invasive prenatal testing for sex chromosome aneuploidy

Objective: To analyze the report content, the methods and results of prenatal diagnosis of high risk of sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA) in non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Methods: A total of 227 single pregnancy pregnant women who received genetic counseling and invasive prenatal diagnosis at Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to the Medical School of Nanjing University from January 2015 to April 2022 due to the high risk of SCA suggested by NIPT were collected. The methods and results of prenatal diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed, and the results of chromosome karyotype analysis and chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) were compared. The relationship between NIPT screening and invasive prenatal diagnosis was analyzed. Results: (1) Prenatal diagnosis methods for 277 SCA high risk pregnant women included 73 cases of karyotyping, 41 cases of CMA and 163 cases of karyotyping combined with CMA, of which one case conducted amniocentesis secondly for further fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing. Results of invasive prenatal diagnosis were normal in 166 cases (59.9%, 166/277), and the abnormal results including one case of 45,X (0.4%, 1/277), 18 cases of 47,XXX (6.5%, 18/277), 36 cases of 47,XXY (13.0%, 36/277), 20 cases of 47,XYY (7.2%, 20/277), 1 case of 48,XXXX (0.4%, 1/277), 20 cases of mosaic SCA (7.2%, 20/277), 5 cases of sex chromosome structural abnormality or large segment abnormality (1.8%, 5/277), and 10 cases of other abnormalities [3.6%, 10/277; including 9 cases of copy number variation (CNV) and 1 case of balanced translocation]. Positive predictive value (PPV) for SCA screening by NIPT was 34.7% (96/277). (2) Among the 163 cases tested by karyotyping combined with CMA, 11 cases (6.7%, 11/163) showed inconsistent results by both methods, including 5 cases of mosaic SCA, 1 case of additional balanced translocation detected by karyotyping and 5 cases of additional CNV detected by CMA. (3) NIPT screening reports included 149 cases of "sex chromosome aneuploidy"(53.8%, 149/277), 54 cases of "number of sex chromosome increased" (19.5%, 54/277), and 74 cases of "number of sex chromosome or X chromosome decreased" (26.7%, 74/277). The PPV of "number of sex chromosome increased" and "number of sex chromosome or X chromosome decreased" were 72.2% (39/54) and 18.9% (14/74), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=34.56, P<0.01). Conclusions: NIPT could be served as an important prenatal screening technique of SCA, especially for trisomy and mosaicism, but the PPV is comparatively low. More information of NIPT such as the specific SCA or maternal SCA might help improving the confidence of genetic counseling and thus guide clinic management. Multi technology platforms including karyotyping, CMA and FISH could be considered in the diagnosis of high risk of SCA by NIPT.

Performance of noninvasive prenatal testing for twin pregnancies in South China

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for the detection of chromosomal aneuploidies and copy number variations (CNVs) in twin pregnancies.MethodA cohort of 2010 women with twin pregnancies was recruited. 1331 patients opted for NIPT, and 679 patients opted for expanded NIPT (NIPT-plus). All high-risk patients were advised to undergo invasive prenatal diagnosis. All participants were followed up until 6 months after birth.ResultsTwenty-two cases were predicted to have a high risk of chromosome abnormalities by NIPT, of which 14 pregnant women underwent invasive prenatal diagnosis. The 14 cases included 3 cases of trisomy 21, 1 case of trisomy 18, 1 case of trisomy 7, 2 cases of sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs), and 7 cases of CNVs, of which the confirmed cases numbered 2, 1, 0, 1, and 0, respectively. Twenty cases were predicted to have a high risk of chromosome abnormalities by NIPT-plus, of which 16 pregnant women underwent invasive prenatal diagnosis. The 16 cases included 1 case of trisomy 21, 1 case of trisomy 7, 7 cases of SCAs, and 7 cases of CNVs, of which were confirmed in 1, 0, 3, and 2, respectively. No false-negative result was reported during the follow-up period.ConclusionThe NIPT/NIPT-plus has excellent performance in the detection of chromosome aneuploidies in twin pregnancies. But for CNVs, the effectiveness of NIPT is poor, and the NIPT-plus have a certain detection efficiency. It is worth noting that pre- and post-genetic counseling is especially important, and the chorionicity, mode of conception, clinical indications, and fetal fraction should be considered as influencing factors.

Single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP-array) analysis for fetuses with abnormal nasal bone.

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of submicroscopic chromosomal abnormalities found on single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array) in pregnancies with either an absent or hypoplastic nasal bone. This retrospective study included 333 fetuses with either nasal bone hypoplasia or absence identified on prenatal ultrasound. SNP array analysis and conventional karyotyping were performed in all the subjects. The prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities was adjusted for maternal age and other ultrasound findings. Fetuses with either an isolated nasal bone absence or hypoplasia, those that had additional soft ultrasound markers, and those where structural defects were found on ultrasound were divided into three groups: A, B, and C, respectively. Among the total cohort of 333 fetuses, 76 (22.8%) had chromosomal abnormalities, including 47 cases of trisomy 21, 4 cases of trisomy 18, 5 cases of sex chromosome aneuploidy, and 20 cases of copy number variations of which 12 were pathogenic or likely pathogenic. The prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in group A (n = 164), B (n = 79), and C (n = 90) was 8.5%, 29.1% and 43.3%, respectively. The incremental yields by SNP-array compared with karyotyping in group A, B, and C were 3.0%, 2.5% and 10.7%, respectively (p > 0.05). Compared to karyotype analysis, SNP array detected an additional 2 (1.2%), 1 (1.3%), and 5 (5.6%) pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNVs in groups A, B, and C, respectively. In the 333 fetuses, the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in women with advanced maternal age (AMA) was significantly higher than that in non-AMA women, (47.8% vs. 16.5%, p < 0.05). In addition to Down's syndrome, many other chromosomal abnormalities are present in fetuses with abnormal nasal bone. SNP array can improve the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities associated with nasal bone abnormalities, especially in pregnancies with non-isolated nasal bone abnormalities and advanced maternal age.

Whole genome non-invasive prenatal testing in prenatal screening algorithm: clinical experience from 12,700 pregnancies

BackgroundA fast adoption of a non–invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in clinical practice is a global tendency last years. Firstly, in Russia according a new regulation it was possible to perform a widescale testing of pregnant women in chromosomal abnormality risk. The aim of the study—to assess efficiency of using NIPT as a second-line first trimester screening test in Moscow.MethodsBased on the first trimester combined prenatal screening results 12,700 pregnant women were classified as a high-risk (cut-off ≥ 1:100) and an intermediate-risk (cut-off 1:101 – 1:2500) groups followed by whole genome NIPT. Women from high-risk group and those who had positive NIPT results from intermediate-risk group were considered for invasive prenatal diagnostic.Results258 (2.0%) samples with positive NIPT results were detected including 126 cases of trisomy 21 (T21), 40 cases of T18, 12 cases of T13, 41 cases of sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) and 39 cases of rare autosomal aneuploidies (RAAs) and significant copy number variations (CNVs). Statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) were revealed for fetal fraction (FF) and both for some patient’s (body mass index and weight) and fetus’s (sex and high risk of aneuploidies) characteristics. NIPT showed as a high sensitivity as specificity for common trisomies and SCAs with an overall false positive rate 0.3%.ConclusionsNIPT demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity. As a second-line screening test it has shown a high efficiency in detecting fetus chromosomal anomalies as well as it could potentially lower the number of invasive procedures in pregnant women.

Is it necessary to choose NIPT-plus for pregnant women who opt for non-invasive prenatal testing? A study of 50 cases

To explore whether it is necessary to choose NIPT-plus for the prenatal screening of pregnant women. The results of NIPT and NIPT-plus sequencing data, fetal DNA concentration, prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy outcome of 50 pregnant women were compared. Compared with NIPT, NIPT-plus attained similar fetal DNA concentration and a 4.4-fold increase in sequencing data. NIPT was able to detect 4 cases of 21-trisomy, 2 cases of 18-trisomy, and 9 cases of sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) signaled by NIPT-plus, but missed one 18-trisomy, and failed to detect rare chromosome aneuploidies (RCAs) and microdeletion/microduplication syndromes (MMS). The PPVs of NIPT-plus for 21-trisomy, 18-trisomy, SCAs, MMS and RCAs were 100%, 100%, 44.4%, 30.4% and 0%, respectively. And those of NIPT for 21-trisomy, 18-trisomy, and SCAs were 100%, 100%, and 44.4%, respectively. It is necessary for pregnant women to select NIPT-plus to improve the detection rate of common trisomies, SCAs and disease-specific MMS, therefore reduce the occurrene of birth defect.

The correlation between maternal age and fetal sex chromosome aneuploidies: a 8-year single institution experience in China

BackgroundAlthough a few studies have investigated a possible association between maternal age and fetal sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs), most of these studies were limited to advanced maternal age (AMA) women and the results were conflicting. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between maternal age and common fetal SCAs (including 45,X, 47,XXY, 47,XXX and 47,XYY) in pregnant women of different ages that not only limited to AMA women. We retrospectively investigated a 8-year experience of prenatal diagnosis for fetal chromosome aberrations by second-trimester amniocentesis at a university teaching hospital in China. 20,409 amniotic fluid specimens collected at 19–22+6 gestational weeks were included in this study. The women were categorized into five age groups (≤ 23, 24–28, 29–33, 34–38, 39+ years) based on maternal age at the time of amniocentesis and entered as a categorical variable in all samples. The correlation between fetal SCAs and maternal age was determined using the logistic regression analysis. A chi-square test was performed to compare the incidence of fetal SCAs among age groups.ResultsA total of 179 cases of fetal SCAs were detected, and the incidence was 8.77‰ (about 1/114). The incidence of fetal SCAs increased significantly with advancing maternal age (SE, 0.014; odds ratio, 1.044; P = 0.002). Specifically, the incidence of 45,X (SE, 0.037; odds ratio, 0.916; P = 0.017) and 47,XXY (SE, 0.024; odds ratio, 1.127; P = 0.000) had significant correlation with maternal age, while the incidence of 47,XXX and 47,XYY had no correlation with maternal age (P = 0.473; P = 0.272, respectively). The incidence of fetal SCAs was also significantly different among age groups (χ2 = 10.197, P = 0.037 < 0.05), from 5.81 per 1000 fetuses at the 24–28 years to 10.92 per 1000 at the 39+ years.ConclusionsMaternal age was ascertained to be a strong risk factor for fetal SCAs.

Next-generation sequencing: a follow-up of 36,913 singleton pregnancies with noninvasive prenatal testing in central China

PurposeTo evaluate the noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) results of 36,913 cases in Jiangxi province of central China and explore its application value in prenatal screening and diagnosis.MethodsThis retrospective analysis included 36,913 singleton pregnant women who underwent NIPT because of moderate-/high-risk pregnancy or voluntary requirements between January 2017 and December 2019 in our hospital. Chromosomal abnormalities such as trisomies 21, 18, and 13 (T21, T18, T13) and sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs) were judged by standard Z-score analysis. Positive NIPT results were confirmed by amniocentesis and karyotyping. Pregnancy outcomes were followed up via telephone interview.ResultsA total of 1.01% (371/36,913) positive cases were detected by NIPT, comprising 137, 46, 31, and 157 cases of T21, T18, T13, and SCAs, respectively. A total of 116 of T21, 27 of T18, 13 of T13, and 51 of SCAs were confirmed to be true positive; all normal cases that had been followed up were verified to be true negative. The NIPT sensitivity in T21, T18, T13, and SCAs was 100.00% individually, whereas the specificity was 99.94% (36,488/36,509), 99.95% (36,579/36,598), 99.95% (36,594/36,612), and 99.72% (36,472/36,574), respectively. Furthermore, the negative predictive values of T21, T18, T13, and SCAs were all 100%, while the positive predictive values were 84.67%, 58.70%, 41.94%, and 33.33%, respectively.ConclusionNIPT is highly sensitive and has a low false positive rate in testing clinically significant fetal aneuploidies of general reproductive women. However, this technique cannot substitute for amniocentesis and karyotyping, and detailed genetic counseling is also essential for the high-risk group of NIPT.

Clinical value of routine non-invasive prenatal testing for the screening of non-target chromosomal abnormalities

To assess the value of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for the identification of sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs), copy number variants (CNVs) and rare autosomal trisomies (RATs). A total of 11 429 women with singleton pregnancy in Ningbo area were screened by NIPT. 106 women were subjected to invasive prenatal diagnosis due to high risk of chromosomal abnormalities other than 21, 18 and 13 aneuploidies. All cases were followed up for pregnancy outcome and postnatal status. Sixty-six women were signaled by NIPT for fetal SCAs, among whom 54 were willing to undergo prenatal diagnosis. Eighteen cases of fetal SCAs were verified as true positives and 4 were suspected positives, which yielded a positive predictive value (PPV) of 33.3%. Half of the women decided to continue their pregnancy. Forty women were signaled by NIPT for fetal CNVs, among which 32 underwent prenatal diagnosis. 19 cases of fetal CNVs were verified as true positives and 3 cases were suspected positives, which yielded a PPV of 46.8%. All women with pathological or possibly pathological CNVs decided to terminate their pregnancies. Thirty-one women were signaled for with fetal RATs. Two fetuses were confirmed to harbor mosaicism trisomies by prenatal diagnosis, and 1 case was suspected to be positive, which yielded a PPV of 9.7%. All of the three women have decided to terminate their pregnancy. In addition to aneuploidies of target chromosomes, NIPT also has important value for the detection of SCAs and CNVs. The results can help to further reduce birth defects. Nevertheless, in view of its low PPV, pregnant women with positive result still need appropriate genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis to avoid unnecessary induced labor.

Application of non-invasive prenatal genetic testing in prenatal anomaly index screening

Objective To evaluate the value of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in pregnancies with anomaly in prenatal screening. Methods This was a retrospective study of 2 837 singleton pregnancies who performed NIPT indicated by isolated anomaly in prenatal screening at Guangdong Women and Children Hospital between November 2014 and August 2016. All pregnancies were divided into 3 groups by single indication: advanced maternal age ( AMA, ≥35), abnormal multiples of the median (MoM) in standard screening, increased nuchal translucency thickness (NT, 2.5-3.0 mm). High risk results were verified by prenatal diagnosis. Low risk cases were followed by a 22-26 week anatomical ultrasound examination. All of the cases were followed up and the performance of NIPT for every single indication was evaluated. Results There were total of 2 837 pregnant women who underwent NIPT. Twenty-five of 2 448 pregnancies indicated by AMA had high risk results, among which 17 were confirmed by invasive genetic testing, except 1 case rejecting prenatal diagnosis. In 351 pregnant women with abnormal MoM, NIPT found 3 cases of sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCA) and 2 of them were validated by invasive prenatal diagnosis. Increased NT group included 38 cases, NIPT found 1 case of trisomy 21 which was consistent with karyotype analysis. For common aneuploidies and SCA, the performance of NIPT in the pregnant women who indicated by AMA, abnormal MoM and increased NT were as the follows: the sensitivity were 17/17, 2/2 and 1/1 respectively, the specificity were 99.7% (2 423/2 431), 99.7% (348/349) and 100%(37/37), the positive predictive value were 68% (17/25), 2/3 and 1/1, the negative predictive value were 100% (2 423/2 423), 100% (348/348) and 100% (38/38), respectively. By follow-up survey, a total of 8 cases of abnormal fetus were recorded in NIPT low-risk women, including 5 cases of termination of pregnancy due to abnormal ultrasound findings, 2 cases of abortion as a result of severe obstetric complications and 1 case of stillbirth. Conclusions To the pregnant women who indicated by advanced maternal age, abnormal MoM and increased NT (2.5-3.0 mm), NIPT had satisfactory performance for common aneuploidies, and also had potential value for SCA, resulting in a significant reduction in diagnostic procedures. However, for NIPT low-risk pregnancies, routine antenatal examination and anatomical ultrasound detection would be highly necessary to avoid missing abnormal fetuses.(Chin J Lab Med, 2018, 41: 509-513) Key words: Aneuploidy; Prenatal diagnosis; Genetic testing; Nuchal translucency measurement

Close but not quite: Two cases of sex chromosome aneuploidies outside the scope of cell free DNA screening.

WHAT'S ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC? cfDNA screening reports high sensitivities and specificities for autosomal trisomies, yet challenges still exist in accurate detection of sex chromosome aneuploidies. WHAT DOES THIS STUDY ADD? Sex chromosome tetrasomy or pentasomy may be incorrectly reported as a sex chromosome trisomy by cfDNA screening. Patients with abnormal cfDNA results for sex chromosome trisomies should be counseled on the possibility of sex chromosome tetrasomies or pentasomies and the differences in clinical implications and predicted prognoses with such diagnoses. All patients with an abnormal cfDNA result for a sex chromosome aneuploidy should be offered prenatal diagnosis and postnatal testing.

Result of prenatal diagnosis for 151 high-risk women by noninvasive prenatal screening based on high-throughput sequencing

To assess the value of combined fetal karyotyping and chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for the verification of high-risk pregnancy signaled by noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) based on high-throughput sequencing. One hundred and fifty-one pregnant women with high risks for aneuploidies of chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y or pathological copy number variations (CNVs) by NIPS were subjected to amniocytic karyotyping and CMA analysis. One hundred and forty-two women were found to have a high risk for fetal chromosomal aneuploidies, which included 83 cases of trisomy 21, 17 cases of trisomy 18, 2 cases of trisomy 13, and 40 cases of sex chromosome aneuploidies. Amniocytic karyotyping and CMA analysis has confirmed 81 cases of trisomy 21, 15 cases of trisomy 18, 10 cases of 47,XXY, 4 cases of 47,XXX, 2 cases of 47,XYY and 1 case of 46,X,del(X)(q26.1). Two trisomy 21, two trisomy 18, 2 trisomy 13, and 23 cases of sex chromosomal aneuploidies were verified as false positives. For 9 women with pathological fetal CNVs detected by NIPS, combined fetal karyotyping and CMA has confirmed 1 case of chromosome 13 microdeletion, 1 case of chromosome 18 microduplication, and 1 case of chromosome 18 deletion. For a case with 30 Mb duplication of chromosome 2 and 25 Mb duplication of chromosome 8, CMA analysis had no positive finding, while fetal umbilical cord blood karyotyping has yielded a 46,XX,dup(2)(p23.1p25.3)[13]/46,XX[87] karyotype. The remaining 5 cases were confirmed as false positive results. Combined fetal karyotyping and CMA has provided a powerful tool for verifying high-risk fetuses signaled by NIPS.

Application of BACs-on-Beads and karyotyping for the prenatal diagnosis of 1371 pregnant women with a high risk

To assess the value of combined BACs-on-BeadsTM (BoBs) and chromosomal karyotyping for the diagnosis of women with high-risk pregnancy. For 1371 women with singleton pregnancy and various indications for prenatal diagnosis, karyotyping and BoBs were simultaneously applied on their amnionic fluid samples. In total 23 cases of trisomy 21, 11 cases of trisomy 18, 5 cases of sex chromosome aneuploidies, 6 cases of microdeletions/microduplications, 2 cases of chimeric chromosomes and 1 case of structural chromosomal abnormality were detected by the BoBs assay, among which the 6 microdeletions/microduplications were not detected by karyotyping. Karyotyping analysis has identified an extra yield of 19 chromosomal abnormalities and 34 chromosomal polymorphisms. Combined use of BoBs and chromosomal karyotyping can improve the detection rate of fetal chromosomal abnormalities including microdeletions/microduplications, which should find a wider use in the clinics.

Analysis of cell-free DNA in maternal blood in screening for aneuploidies: updated meta-analysis.

To review clinical validation or implementation studies of maternal blood cell-free (cf) DNA analysis and define the performance of screening for fetal trisomies 21, 18 and 13 and sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCA). Searches of PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library were performed to identify all peer-reviewed articles on cfDNA testing in screening for aneuploidies between January 2011, when the first such study was published, and 31 December 2016. The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed study reporting on clinical validation or implementation of maternal cfDNA testing in screening for aneuploidies, in which data on pregnancy outcome were provided for more than 85% of the study population. We excluded case-control studies, proof-of-principle articles and studies in which the laboratory scientists carrying out the tests were aware of fetal karyotype or pregnancy outcome. Pooled detection rates (DRs) and false-positive rates (FPRs) were calculated using bivariate random-effects regression models. In total, 35 relevant studies were identified and these were used for the meta-analysis on the performance of cfDNA testing in screening for aneuploidies. These studies reported cfDNA results in relation to fetal karyotype from invasive testing or clinical outcome. In the combined total of 1963 cases of trisomy 21 and 223 932 non-trisomy 21 singleton pregnancies, the weighted pooled DR and FPR were 99.7% (95% CI, 99.1-99.9%) and 0.04% (95% CI, 0.02-0.07%), respectively. In a total of 563 cases of trisomy 18 and 222 013 non-trisomy 18 singleton pregnancies, the weighted pooled DR and FPR were 97.9% (95% CI, 94.9-99.1%) and 0.04% (95% CI, 0.03-0.07%), respectively. In a total of 119 cases of trisomy 13 and 212 883 non-trisomy 13 singleton pregnancies, the weighted pooled DR and FPR were 99.0% (95% CI, 65.8-100%) and 0.04% (95% CI, 0.02-0.07%), respectively. In a total of 36 cases of monosomy X and 7676 unaffected singleton pregnancies, the weighted pooled DR and FPR were 95.8% (95% CI, 70.3-99.5%) and 0.14% (95% CI, 0.05-0.38%), respectively. In a combined total of 17 cases of SCA other than monosomy X and 5400 unaffected singleton pregnancies, the weighted pooled DR and FPR were 100% (95% CI, 83.6-100%) and 0.004% (95% CI, 0.0-0.08%), respectively. For twin pregnancies, in a total of 24 cases of trisomy 21 and 1111 non-trisomy 21 cases, the DR was 100% (95% CI, 95.2-100%) and FPR was 0.0% (95% CI, 0.0-0.003%), respectively. Screening by analysis of cfDNA in maternal blood in singleton pregnancies could detect > 99% of fetuses with trisomy 21, 98% of trisomy 18 and 99% of trisomy 13 at a combined FPR of 0.13%. The number of reported cases of SCA is too small for accurate assessment of performance of screening. In twin pregnancies, performance of screening for trisomy 21 is encouraging but the number of cases reported is small. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Dosage of Sex Chromosomal Genes in Blood Deposited on Filter Paper for Neonatal Screening of Sex Chromosome Aneuploidy.

In this study, we examined the doses of the stature homeobox (SHOX), vesicle-associated membrane protein 7 (VAMP7), and SRY genes to establish a protocol for using peripheral blood samples deposited on filter paper for the screening of sex chromosome aneuploidy in neonates. We also measured correlations with karyotypes to assess this method as a neonatal screening strategy. This was an observational, descriptive, comparative blind study. Thirty-two healthy young adults (17 women, 15 men; age, ≥18 years), four patients with known sex chromosome aneuploidy (positive control group), and 1000 healthy newborns were included. Gene dosages were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Values with standard deviations (SDs) of three or more were considered abnormal. Men and women differed in the gene dosage of the SRY gene. Cases with Turner syndrome showed values below 3 SDs for SHOX and VAMP7 genes, and cases with Klinefelter syndrome showed values above 3 SDs for SHOX and VAMP7 genes. Two suspected cases of sex chromosome aneuploidy were diagnosed using our neonatal screening strategy; these cases were confirmed as Turner syndrome and 47,XYY syndrome by karyotyping. Our data establish a basis for the determination of chromosomal sex and neonatal screening of sex chromosome aneuploidy using RT-PCR.

Non‐invasive risk assessment of fetal sex chromosome aneuploidy through directed analysis and incorporation of fetal fraction

To assess the performance of a directed chromosomal analysis approach in the prenatal evaluation of fetal sex chromosome aneuploidy. We analyzed 432 frozen maternal plasma samples obtained from patients prior to undergoing fetal diagnostic testing. The cohort included women greater than 18 years of age with a singleton pregnancy of greater than 10 weeks gestation. Samples were analyzed using a chromosome-selective approach (DANSR(TM) ) and a risk algorithm that incorporates fetal fraction (FORTE(TM) ). The cohort included 34 cases of sex chromosome aneuploidy. The assay correctly identified 26 of 27 (92.6%) cases of Monosomy X, one case of XXX, and all six cases of XXY. There were four false positive cases of sex chromosome aneuploidy among 380 euploid cases for an overall false positive rate of less than 1%. Analysis of the risk for sex chromosome aneuploidies can be accomplished with a targeted assay with high sensitivity.

Хромосомні аномалії у чоловіків із різним ступенем порушення сперматогенезу

Chromosomal abnormalities are among the most common genetic causes of spermatogenic disruptions. Carriers of chromosomal abnormalities are at increased risk of infertility, miscarriage or birth of a child with unbalanced karyotype due to the production of unbalanced gametes. The natural selection against chromosomally abnormal sperm usually prevents fertilization with sperm barring in cases of serious chromosomal abnormalities. However, assisted reproductive technologies in general and intracytoplasmic sperm injection in particular, enable the transmission of chromosomal abnormalities to the progeny. Therefore, cytogenetic studies are important in patients with male factor infertility before assisted reproduction treatment. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the types and frequencies of chromosomal abnormalities in 724 patients with infertility and to estimate the risk of chromosomal abnormalities detection in subgroups of patients depending on the severity of spermatogenic disruption, aiming at identifying groups of patients in need of cytogenetic studies. Karyotype analysis was performed in 724 blood samples of men attending infertility clinic. Chromosomal preparation was performed by standard techniques. At least 20 GTG-banded metaphase plates with the resolution from 450 to 750 bands per haploid set were analysed in each case. When chromosomal mosaicism was suspected, this number was increased to 50. Abnormal karyotypes were observed in 48 (6.6%) patients, including 67% of autosomal abnormalities and 33% of gonosomal abnormalities. Autosomal abnormalities were represented by structural rearrangements. Reciprocal translocations were the most common type of structural chromosomal abnormalities in the studied group, detected with the frequency of 2.6% (n = 19), followed by Robertsonian translocation, observed with the frequency of 1.2% (n = 9). The frequency of inversions was 0.6% (n = 4). Gonosomal abnormalities included 14 cases of sex chromosome aneuploidy and 2 cases of terminal deletion of Y chromosome. Klinefelter syndrome was detected in 67% of patients with azoospermia. A significant increase in the frequency of numerical chromosomal abnormalities was observed in a group of patients with azoospermia (P &lt; 0.001). No differences were detected in the frequency of structural abnormalities in subgroups of patients. An increase in the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities with the decrease of sperm count was observed. Chromosomal abnormalities were detected with frequency 1.1% in a group of patients with normospermia, 1.9% in a group of patients with asthenozoospermia, 4.3% in patients with asthenoteratozoospermia, 6.5% in patients with oligoasthenozoospermia, 11.6% in patients with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia and 35% in a group of patients with azoospermia. Significant increase of the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities was detected in subgroups of patients with azoospermia (P &lt; 0.001) and oligozoospermia (P = 0.001) as compared to patients with normozoospermia. These results are considered to be criteria for selection of patients in need of cytogenetic studies before in vitro fertilization cycles because of the highest risk of chromosomal abnormalities detection.

Elevated Second-Trimester Maternal Serum Inhibin A Levels in Asian Pregnancies with Fetal Down Syndrome and Other Chromosomal Abnormalities

Subjects: To evaluate second-trimester maternal serum inhibin A levels in Asian pregnancies with fetal Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. Methods: Inhibin A level was measured from the serum samples of 25 chromosomally abnormal pregnancies, including 15 cases of Down syndrome, 4 cases of trisomy 18, 1 case of trisomy 13, and 5 cases of sex chromosome aneuploidies (4 cases of 47,XXY and 1 case of 45,X) and in a cohort of 150 controls during the second trimester of pregnancy. Results: The multiple of median levels of Down syndrome (1.74) and other chromosomally abnormal pregnancies (2.03) are significantly higher than that of normal pregnancies (p = 0.002 and p = 0.024, respectively). Only 3 of 15 (20%) Down syndrome cases had inhibin A levels at or above the 95th centile of the control values. Conclusions: Inhibin A levels are raised in Asian women affected with fetal Down syndrome and sex chromosome abnormality. In spite of the poor discrepancy of inhibin A, it might be a potential marker for Down syndrome screening in Asians.

Genetic counselling and parental decisions following antenatal diagnosis of sex chromosome aneuploidies

SummaryThirty-seven cases of sex chromosome aneuploidy were detected on amniocentesis in our laboratory between 1980 and 1986. Genetic counselling was offered to the parents upon discovering these abnormalities. Information based on long term prospective studies of newborn was given and supplemented with information from our personal experience of similar patients. Twenty-three sets of parents decided to continue with their pregnancies and 14 elected abortion. The main reasons for abortion were because of physical congenital abnormalities (this applied principally to those fetuses with Turner's syndrome) and the risk of intellectual retardation in some XXX and XXY pregnancies although most of these continued to term. Two out of three XYY pregnancies and all those with a mosaic karyotype continued. The aborted fetuses were examined and the karyotype confirmed where possible. Support was offered to the parents during their decision making period and continued thereafter, whatever their decision.

Low serum α-fetoprotein level and sex chromosome monosomy

A case of 45,X karyotype in association with low maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels is reported. Previous cases of trisomy have been linked to low alpha-fetoprotein levels. Cases of sex chromosome aneuploidy may be included in the group of aneuploidies with low levels of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein.