Introduction: Prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia disease was usually based on invasive technique. Noninvasive diagnosis using cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) was described with various laboratory techniques. The aim of this study was to identify the performance of dPCR for analyzing cff-DNA in maternal plasma to diagnose fetal beta-thalassemia diseases.
Methods: Thirty-five couples at risk of fetal beta-thalassemia disease caused by four common mutations of HBB were enrolled at 12-18 weeks. The dPCR assay was designed to detect and quantify paternally inherited beta-thalassemia allele (PIB) and maternally inherited beta-thalassemia allele (MIB) from cff-DNA in maternal plasma.
Results: Of 29 couples with different paternal/maternal mutations, all cases who inherited paternal mutation had detectable PIB-M. The MIB-mutant/wild-type (MIB-M/MIB-N) ratio in the mothers whose fetuses did not inherit maternal mutation was 0.87 ± 0.07 which was significantly lower than that of the mothers whose fetuses inherited maternal mutation, 1.01 ± 0.05. The sensitivity and specificity of MIB-M/MIB-N ratio >0.95 in predicting fetus inheriting maternal mutation were 100 and 92.3%, respectively. In four couples with same paternal/maternal mutation, IB-M/IB-N ratio of >0.95 correctly predicted the presence of an inheritance of at least one beta-thalassemia allele. In two couples with paternal Hb E/beta-thalassemia, the presence of PIB-M and the MIB-M/MIB-N ratio of >0.95 correctly predicted the presence of paternal/maternal mutations, respectively.
Conclusions: The method of analyzing cff-DNA in maternal plasma by dPCR is efficient for prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia.
A curvature of a finger that bends inwards relative to the other fingers is a common observation during prenatal screening. When the angulation exceeds 10 degrees, it is known as "clinodactyly" and could suggest a variety of underlying issues. Even though it usually remains unnoticed during pregnancy, it may be a sign of serious fetal disease.
Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is a common neonatal endocrine disorder that is characterized by irreversible neurodevelopmental and growth retardation due to insufficient biosynthesis of thyroid hormones at birth. Determining the causative genetic variants in infants is important for neonatal management. It was aimed to evaluate the variant frequencies and spectrum of CH in the neonatal population of Foshan, China.
Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a syndrome characterized by prenatal and postnatal growth retardation, facial features, and body asymmetry. SRS is often complicated with hypoglycemia, whose etiology is unclear. We describe the clinical course of 25-year-old man with hypoglycemia.
Background: Currently, it is recommended to arrange screening for all women who are referred for prenatal care before the 20 week of gestation. Congenital and genetic diseases lead to disability and death in 3% of babies. Prenatal diagnosis is the only way to prevent the birth of babies with genetic disorders.
Introduction: Pediatric neurology provides care for children with complex developmental disorders with environmental, genetic, metabolic, and teratogenic etiologies. Common neurodevelopmental conditions include attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder. However, only minimal attention from pediatric neurology journals has been devoted to fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
