Examination of Fetal Cells and Cell-Free Fetal DNA in Maternal Blood for Fetal Gender Determination

ABSTRACT Objectives Early identification of fetal gender is important in management of X-linked and other metabolic disorders. Since ultrasound may not predict gender accurately during the first trimester, noninvasive fetal gender determination using deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) amplification has been proposed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of noninvasive prenatal gender determination by examining cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) from maternal plasma. Materials and methods Blood samples were collected from 49 pregnant women of gestational ages ranging from 12 to 41 weeks. Deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted from maternal plasma using a QIAamp DNA Blood Mini Kit. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify the male specific DNA marker sex-determining region Y (SRY). Results From a total of 49 subjects, fetal gender was correctly determined in 13 out of 14 male fetuses and 32 out of 35 female fetuses, giving an overall accuracy of 92%. The sensitivity and specificity of the test to detect male fetuses was 93 and 91% respectively. There were three false-positive cases and one false-negative case. Conclusion Identification of fetal gender from maternal plasma using real-time PCR technique is feasible in a developing country, like Pakistan, and appears to be a promising tool for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis. How to cite this article Mohammed N, Nuruddin R, Hoodbhoy Z. Gender Determination by Isolation of Cell-free Fetal DNA from the Maternal Circulation. J South Asian Feder Obst Gynae 2016;8(1):29-32.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Fetal gender and several cytokines are associated with the number of fetal cells in maternal blood--an observational study.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.718632364.793524413 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Ignatia Van den Veyver

Keyword(s):

Observational Study ◽

Maternal Blood ◽

Fetal Cells ◽

Fetal Gender

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611: Using maternal dry blood spot for fetal DNA quantification, fetal RhD, and fetal gender determination in the first trimester

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.1016/j.ajog.2012.10.777 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 208 (1) ◽

pp. S260

Author(s):

Yali Xiong ◽

Indhu Prabhakaran ◽

Eliezer Holtzman ◽

Stacey Jeronis ◽

Amen Ness ◽

...

Keyword(s):

First Trimester ◽

Dna Quantification ◽

Gender Determination ◽

Fetal Dna ◽

Fetal Gender ◽

Blood Spot

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The cell-free fetal DNA fraction in maternal blood decreases after physical activity

Prenatal Diagnosis ◽

10.1002/pd.4306 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 34 (4) ◽

pp. 341-344 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Jacob Mørup Schlütter ◽

Lotte Hatt ◽

Cathrine Bach ◽

Ida Kirkegaard ◽

Steen Kølvraa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Maternal Blood ◽

Fetal Dna ◽

Cell Free Fetal Dna

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