[Noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of Hb Bart's hydrops fetus using cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma].

OBJECTIVE

To explore a new noninvasive method for Hb Bart' s hydrops fetus by using PCR amplification efficiency discrimination between cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) and cell-free maternal DNA in maternal plasma.

METHODS

CffDNA samples from pregnant women bearing possible Hb Bart's hydrops fetus were collected. Fluorescent PCR and capillary electrophoresis (CE) were performed. Hb Bart's hydrops fetus was conclusively identified by different peak area ratio of products.

RESULTS

The peak area ratio of 30 cffDNA samples from Hb Bart' s hydrops fetus was much less than 1. However, the ratio of cffDNA sample from hydrops fetus due to other reasons was approximately equal to 1.

CONCLUSION

By using cffDNA fluorescent PCR and CE, a prenatal screening method for Hb Bart' s hydrops fetus was developed.