New molecular techniques for the prenatal detection of chromosomal aneuploidy.
OBJECTIVE
To review the molecular genetic techniques currently available for rapid prenatal diagnosis of fetal aneuploidy, as well as those still under investigation.


METHODS
Limited to introductory discussion of rapid aneuploidy detection methods.


METHODS
Medline was searched for articles related to the topic that were published after 1992. This document represents an abstraction of the information.


METHODS
This update was prepared by the Genetics Committee of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada approved by the Executive and Council of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada.


RESULTS
This update provides information about methods of rapid aneuploidy detection using molecular techniques and the evidence supporting their use in prenatal diagnosis. These methods are reliable and cost-effective for detecting the targeted fetal aneuploidies, but are limited in their ability to detect non-aneuploid chromosome abnormalities, some of which are clinically significant.
Sparkes
Rebecca
R
Calgary AB, Canada.
Johnson
Jo-Ann
JA
Langlois
Sylvie
S
Wilson
R Douglas
RD
Allen
Victoria
V
Blight
Claire
C
Désilets
Valérie
V
Gagnon
Alain
A
Johnson
Jo-Ann
JA
Langlois
Sylvie
S
Summers
Anne
A
Wyatt
Phil
P
D000782:Aneuploidy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D021141:Nucleic Acid Amplification Techniques / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis