The combined QF-PCR and cytogenetic approach in prenatal diagnosis

Abstract

In this study, the importance of quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) aneuploidy diagnosis test which provides earlier and easier results were discussed. The cell cultures and DNA isolations were performed on 100 amniotic fluids. DNA isolations were made from peripheral blood samples of mothers who had blood-stained amniotic fluid samples. The reasons of references of these pregnant women to our division were increased maternal age, positive double/triple screening test and fetal anomaly history. QF-PCR applied to 19 short tandem repeat markers in the chromosomes 13, 18, 21 and genes X and Y chromosomes. All electropherogram peaks were evaluated on ABI3130. Thirty two (32 %) samples have high maternal age, seven (7 %) have fetal anomaly and the others have double/triple screening test positivity. Ninety-nine (99 %) of the 100 amniotic fluid samples were resulted, but one (1 %) of them could not examined because of the culture failure. The maternal contamination rates were determined as 3 %. Of 100 samples, 2 had trisomy 21 (2 %), 1 had trisomy 13 (1 %), 1 had structural abnormalities (1 %) and the others (97 %) have not any aneuploidy. The results of QF-PCR were in compatible with the results of cell culture and chromosome analysis. Although QF-PCR is an easier and an earlier test, it has a limitation of not to able to scan full genome. It is also sensitive for maternal contamination, so it should be tested together with maternal blood samples. QF-PCR aneuploidy test is the fastest diagnostic test for prenatal diagnosis and so it provides less stressful period for pregnant women.