OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for the diagnosis of fetuses with anomalies of the central nervous system (CNS) and summarize the outcome of the pregnancies and follow-up. METHODS: A total of 636 fetuses from June 2014 to December 2020 who were referred to the Prenatal Diagnosis Center of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital due to abnormal CNS prompted by ultrasound were selected as the research subjects. Based on the ultrasound findings, the fetuses were divided into ventricular dilatation group (n = 441), choroid plexus cyst group (n = 41), enlarged posterior fossa group (n = 42), holoprosencephaly group (n = 15), corpus callosum hypoplasia group (n = 22), and other anomaly group (n = 75). Meanwhile, they were also divided into isolated (n = 504) and non-isolated (n = 132) groups based on the presence of additional abnormalities. Prenatal samples (amniotic fluid/chorionic villi/umbilical cord blood) or abortus tissue were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA and CMA assay. Outcome of the pregnancies and postnatal follow-up were summarized and subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: In total 636 fetuses with CNS anomalies (including 89 abortus tissues) were included, and 547 cases were followed up. The overall detection rate of CMA was 11.48% (73/636). The detection rates for the holoprosencephaly group, ACC group, choroid plexus cyst group, enlarged posterior fossa group, ventricular dilatation group and other anomaly group were 80% (12/15), 31.82% (7/22), 19.51% (8/41), 14.29% (6/42), 7.48% (33/441) and 9.33% (7/75), respectively. Compared with the isolated CNS anomaly group, the detection rate for the non-isolated CNS anomaly group was significantly higher (6.35% vs. 31.06%) (32/504 vs. 41/132) (χ² = 62.867, P < 0.001). Follow up showed that, for 52 fetuses with abnormal CMA results, 51 couples have opted induced labor, whilst 1 was delivered at full term with normal growth and development. Of the 434 fetuses with normal CMA results, 377 were delivered at full term (6 had developmental delay), and 57 couples had opted induced labor. The rate of adverse pregnancy outcome for non-isolated CNS abnormal fetuses was significantly higher than that of isolated CNS abnormal fetuses (26.56% vs. 10.54%) (17/64 vs. 39/370) (χ² = 12.463, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Fetuses with CNS anomaly should be tested with CMA to determine the genetic cause. Most fetuses with negative CMA result have a good prognosis, but there is still a possibility for a abnormal neurological phenotype. Fetuses with CNS abnormalities in conjunct with other structural abnormalities are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Female ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Holoprosencephaly ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Central Nervous System ; Fetus/abnormalities* ; Nervous System Malformations/genetics* ; Microarray Analysis ; Central Nervous System Diseases ; Cysts ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of copy number variation sequencing (CNV-seq) in the genetic etiology of fetuses with nasal bone dysplasia (NBD). METHODS: A total of 217 fetuses discovered with NBD from December 2017 to December 2020 were divided into the isolated NBD group and NBD combined with other anomalies group, for which copy number variations (CNVs) were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 40 fetal abnormalities were detected in 217 cases, with an overall abnormal rate of 18.4%. These included 31 cases with aneuploidies (14.3%, 31/217) and 9 cases with genomic CNVs (4.1%, 9/217). Five cases of trisomy 21 (3.5%, 5/144) and two CNVs cases with unknown clinical significance (1.4%, 2/144) were detected in the isolated group. As for the combined NBD group, 26 aneuploidies (35.6%, 26/73), including 19 cases with trisomy 21, 6 cases with trisomy 18, 1 case with trisomy 13, 5 cases with pathogenic CNVs (6.8%, 5/73), and 2 cases with CNVs of unknown clinical significance (2.7%, 2/73) were detected. A significant difference was detected between the two groups (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The detection rate of CNV-seq is high for chromosomal aneuploidies and pathogenic CNVs in fetuses with NBD, particularly in those combined with other ultrasonic abnormalities.
Aneuploidy ; Bone Diseases, Developmental ; Chromosome Aberrations ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Down Syndrome/genetics* ; Female ; Fetus/abnormalities* ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Trisomy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between 22q11.2 duplication and clinical phenotype. METHODS: Eight fetuses with 22q11.2 duplication syndrome diagnosed by chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) through amniocentesis from February 2015 to March 2017 were enrolled in the study. The prenatal diagnostic indications, fetal ultrasound, chromosome karyotype, peripheral blood CMA results of parents, pregnancy outcomes and follow-up of postnatal growth and development were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Prenatal serological screening indicated 6 cases with high risk of trisomy 21, 1 case with nuchal fold (NF) thickening and 1 case of maternal chromosomal balanced translocation. Fetal ultrasonography showed 1 case of NF thickening, 1 case of fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly and 6 cases with normal ultrasound. CMA demonstrated that the size of duplication was between 651 kb and 3.26 Mb, and 22q11.2 duplication. Parents' CMA results revealed that 6 cases inherited from one of the parents with normal phenotype, and the parents of 2 cases refused the CMA test. Two couples chose induced labor; 6 cases of continued pregnancy had normal phenotypes at birth. All 6 cases were followed up with longest of 3.5 years. The growth and psychological development were normal in 5 cases, and one case was growth retardation. CONCLUSIONS There were no specific clinical phenotypes in 22q11.2 duplication syndrome, and most of them were inherited from one parent who has normal phenotype.
Abnormalities, Multiple ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Chromosome Duplication ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 ; genetics ; DiGeorge Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical application of single nucleotide polymorphism microarray (SNP array) in prenatal genetic diagnosis for fetuses with absent nasal bone. METHODS: Seventy four fetuses with absent nasal bone detected by prenatal ultrasound scanning were recruited from Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine during June 2015 and October 2018. The chromosome karyotypes analysis and SNP array were performed. The correlation between absent fetal nasal bone and chromosome copy number variants was analyzed. RESULTS: Among 74 fetuses, 19 were detected to have chromosomal abnormalities, including 16 cases of trisomy-21, 1 case of trisomy-18 and two cases of micro-deletion/duplication. Among 46 cases with isolated absence of nasal bone, 3 had trisomy-21, and 1 had a micro-duplication. Absence of nasal bone in association with nuchal translucency thickening had a higher rate of abnormal karyotypes compared with isolated absence of nasal bone (=32.27,<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Fetuses with absent nasal bone and nuchal translucency thickening are likely to have chromosome abnormalities, and SNP array testing is recommended to exclude the chromosome abnormalities.
Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Nasal Bone ; abnormalities ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; standards ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; genetics ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods

Craniofacial abnormalities are common. It is important to examine the fetal face and skull Epub ahead of print during prenatal ultrasound examinations because abnormalities of these structures may indicate the presence of other, more subtle anomalies, syndromes, chromosomal abnormalities, or even rarer conditions, such as infections or metabolic disorders. The prenatal diagnosis of craniofacial abnormalities remains difficult, especially in the first trimester. A systematic approach to the fetal skull and face can increase the detection rate. When an abnormality is found, it is important to perform a detailed scan to determine its severity and search for additional abnormalities. The use of 3-/4-dimensional ultrasound may be useful in the assessment of cleft palate and craniosynostosis. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging can facilitate the evaluation of the palate, micrognathia, cranial sutures, brain, and other fetal structures. Invasive prenatal diagnostic techniques are indicated to exclude chromosomal abnormalities. Molecular analysis for some syndromes is feasible if the family history is suggestive.
Brain ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cleft Palate ; Cranial Sutures ; Craniofacial Abnormalities* ; Craniosynostoses ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Micrognathism ; Palate ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Skull ; Ultrasonography ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal*

OBJECTIVE: To determine the origin of supernumerary small marker chromosomes (sSMCs) carried by two fetuses. METHODS: Single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP-array) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis were carried out on cells cultured from the amniotic fluid samples. RESULTS: SNP-array analysis showed both fetuses to be arr[hg19]22q11.1q11.21(16 888 899-18 649 190)×4, with a duplicated 1.7 Mb region (16 888 899-18 649 190) leading to partial tetrasomy of 22q11.1-22q11.21. FISH confirmed that both fetuses were 47,XN,+mar.ish idic(22)(q11.2) (RP11-958H20 ++),which suggested a diagnosis of Cat-eye syndrome (CES). The appearance of abortuses were consistent with the diagnosis of CES. CONCLUSION Two fetuses with CES were diagnosed by genetic testing. The latter has provided a basis for genetic counseling.
Aneuploidy ; Chromosome Disorders ; diagnosis ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 ; Eye Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as an alternative testing of invasive diagnostic testing in pregnancies with ultrasound abnormalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of pregnant women with abnormal ultrasound findings before 24 weeks of gestation between April 2016 and March 2017. Abnormal ultrasound findings included isolated increased nuchal translucency, structural anomalies, and soft markers. The NIPT or diagnostic test was conducted and NIPT detected trisomy 21 (T21), T18, T13 and sex chromosomal abnormalities. We analyzed the false positive and residual risks of NIPT based on the ultrasound findings. RESULTS: During the study period, 824 pregnant women had abnormal ultrasound findings. Among the study population, 139 patients (16.9%) underwent NIPT. When NIPT was solely performed in the patients with abnormal ultrasound findings, overall false positive risk was 2.2% and this study found residual risks of NIPT. However, the discordant results of NIPT differed according to the type of abnormal ultrasound findings. Discordant results were significant in the group with structural anomalies with 4.4% false positive rate. However, no discordant results were found in the group with single soft markers. CONCLUSION: This study found different efficacy of NIPT according to the ultrasound findings. The results emphasize the importance of individualized counseling for prenatal screening or diagnostic test based on the type of abnormal ultrasound.
Chromosome Aberrations ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Counseling ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Down Syndrome ; Female ; Humans ; Nuchal Translucency Measurement ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography*

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of genome-wide high-resolution chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) for the delineation of pathogenesis for fetal ventriculomegaly diagnosed by ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODSThree hundred and forty-one cases of fetal ventriculomegaly were collected. The samples were grouped based on the extent of lateral ventricular dilatation, presence of additional features, site of occurrence, and the maternal age. All samples were subjected to karyotyping analysis. For those with a normal karyotype, DNA was extracted and hybridized with an Affymetrix CytoScan HD array. All cases were followed up.

RESULTSAmong the 341 fetuses, 21 (6.2%) were detected with an abnormal karyotype. For the 320 cases with a normal karyotype, 179 (55.9%) have accepted CMA analysis. Potentially pathogenic CNVs were identified in 12 (6.7%) of the 179 cases, whose sizes ranged from 198 kb to 8.71 Mb. These included a 1q21.3q23.1 deletion, a 2q37.3 deletion, a 3p14.1p13 deletion, a 6q25.3 deletion, a 8q11.23 duplication, a 10q21.1 deletion, a 15q11.2 deletion and a 16p13.11p12.3 duplication, a 22q13.33 duplication, a 22q11.21 duplication and a Xp21.1 duplication (Duchenne muscular dystrophy). Pathogenic CNVs were detected respectively in 7.5% and 3.1% of those with mild and severe ventriculomegaly (P=0.615), in 6.1% and 7.4% of those with isolated and non-isolated ventriculomegaly (P=0.732), in 5.6% and 7.9% of those with unilateral and bilateral ventriculomegaly (P=0.511), and in 6.7% of both elderly and non-elderly groups (P=1.000).

CONCLUSIONThe detection rate for abnormal karyotypes among fetuses with ventriculomegaly was 6.2%. CMA can increase the detection rate by approximately 6.7%. There was no significant correlation between ventriculomegaly and presence of pathogenic CNVs. In clinical practice, fetuses with ventriculomegaly and a normal karyotype should be considered for CMA analysis.

Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Fetus ; abnormalities ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; genetics ; Karyotyping ; methods ; Microarray Analysis ; methods ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo assess the value of chromosomal karyotyping and array-based comparative genomic hybridization for the diagnosis of fetus with abnormalities detected by ultrasonography.

METHODSUmbilical cord blood samples were derived from 1 603 pregnant women. The samples were cultured for routine G-banding karyotype analysis. Among these, 792 samples have further subjected to array CGH analysis.

RESULTSAmong the 1 603 fetuses, 117 (7.30%) were found with chromosomal abnormalities. These included 72 numerical aberrations and 45 structural abnormalities, which respectively accounted for 4.49% and 2.81% of all cases. For those <35 years and ≥ 35 years, a significant difference has been found in terms of fetal chromosomal abnormalities (chi-square is 30.687, P< 0.01). And there was also a significant difference between those with isolated, two or multiple ultrasonographic markers (chi-square is 85.50, P< 0.01). Among 736 fetuses with a normal karyotype, array CGH has detected 17 (2.31%) with a microdeletion or microduplication.

CONCLUSIONKaryotype analysis and array CGH should be offered to all fetuses with ultrasonography detected anomalies regardless the number of markers.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosome Disorders ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; methods ; Female ; Fetus ; abnormalities ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the genetic etiology for fetuses featuring intrauterine growth anomalies using array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH).

METHODSForty-nine fetuses were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA of the abortive tissues was analyzed with aCGH.

RESULTSFourteen (28.6%) samples were found with chromosomal aberrations, which included 8 chromosomal aneuploidies and 6 micro-aberrations (4 with known clinical pathogenecity and 2 with unknown clinical significance).

CONCLUSIONNumerical and structural chromosomal aberrations underlie a significant proportion of fetal growth anomalies. aCGH has provided an effective method for delineating their genetic cause.

Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; methods ; Congenital Abnormalities ; genetics ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods