The levels of circulatory cell free fetal DNA in maternal plasma are elevated prior to the onset of preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
Elevations in cell free fetal DNA has previously been determined in pregnancies affected by preeclampsia. A recent report has indicated that cell free fetal DNA concentrations are elevated early in pregnancy before disease onset. As we have recently performed a prospective study to examine fetal cell traffic in pregnancies at risk for developing preeclampsia, we now quantify cell free fetal DNA concentrations in these samples.


METHODS
Blood samples were collected in the second trimester of pregnancy from pregnancies at risk for preeclampsia. Cell free fetal DNA amounts were quantified by real-time PCR. These results were then correlated with subsequent pregnancy outcome.


RESULTS
Free fetal DNA levels were significantly higher (median of 422.9 vs. 128.5 copies/mL maternal plasma; p=0.005) in plasma samples from women who developed preeclampsia ( n=10) when compared to those who had unremarkable pregnancies ( n=40).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data independently confirm the finding that maternal plasma cell free fetal DNA levels are elevated early in pregnancies, which later develop preeclampsia.
Zhong
Xiao Yan
XY
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Basel, Schanzenstrasse 46, CH-4031 Basel, Switzerland.
Holzgreve
Wolfgang
W
Hahn
Sinuhe
S
D004247:DNA / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D004247:DNA