Prenatal karyotype results from 2169 invasive tests.

OBJECTIVES: Foetal karyotyping is a basic tool used to diagnose the most common genetic syndromes. Although new molecular methods such as FISH, MLPA or QF-PCR allow rapid prenatal testing, they are of limited value when diagnosing less frequent chromosomal abnormalities. Chromosomal microarray analysis offers higher test resolution than traditional karyotyping and has been recommended as first-line genetic testing in prenatal diagnosis. The aim of the study was to confirm whether foetal karyotyping remains a valid approach to prenatal diagnosis by analysing its performance in a large population of pregnant women with a high risk of chromosomal aberration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An analysis was performed of 2169 foetal karyotypes from two referral university centres for prenatal diagnostics in Lodz, Poland. RESULTS: Amniocentesis and foetal karyotyping were performed when screening methods had indicated a high risk of chromosomal aberration, or when prenatal ultrasound had proved foetal abnormality. The study group included 205 (9.4%) abnormal foetal karyotypes. Rare aberrations were observed in 34 cases (e.g., translocations, inversions, deletions and duplication). A marker chromosome was present in five cases. CONCLUSIONS: One third of the chromosomal abnormalities observed in the prenatal tests were rarer aberrations (i.e., not trisomy 21, 18 or 13). As many of these could not be detected by the new molecular methods, foetal karyotyping remains an important component of prenatal diagnosis.

Cases of tetrasomy 9p and trisomy 9p in prenatal diagnosis-Analysis of noninvasive and invasive test results.

Objective: Tetrasomy 9p and trisomy 9p are rare chromosomal aberrations. The phenotypes of tetrasomy 9p and trisomy 9p are variable. Most cases are diagnosed in the postnatal period. The study aims to analyze the prenatal phenotype of tetrasomy 9p and trisomy 9p in terms of ultrasound and screening tests. Methods: A set of 1573 prenatal tests performed from 2016 to 2021 was reviewed to identify all cases with trisomy 9p and tetrasomy 9p. In four cases with 9p gain, non-invasive and invasive test results were analyzed. Results: Four cases with the 9p gain were diagnosed in the prenatal period: two cases with tetrasomy 9p and two cases with trisomy 9p. Nasal bone hypoplasia and ventriculomegaly are common features of 9p gain. In two out of four cases with the 9p gain, an increased risk of trisomy 21 was found in the combined first-trimester screening test. Conclusion: Trisomy 9p and tetrasomy 9p are characterized by a variable phenotype in the prenatal period, manifesting in genetically abnormal fetuses. The tetrasomy 9p and trisomy 9p may suggest trisomy 21 in the first trimester.

Fetal Nasal Bone Hypoplasia in the Second Trimester as a Marker of Multiple Genetic Syndromes.

Nasal bone hypoplasia is associated with a trisomy of chromosome 21, 18 or 13. Nasal bone hypoplasia can also be seen in other, rarer genetic syndromes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the potential of nasal bone hypoplasia, in the second trimester of pregnancy, as a marker of fetal facial dysmorphism, associated with pathogenic copy number variation (CNV). This retrospective analysis of the invasive tests results in fetuses with nasal bone hypoplasia, after excluding those with trisomy 21, 18 and 13. In total, 60 cases with nasal bone hypoplasia were analyzed. Chromosomal aberrations were found in 7.1% of cases of isolated nasal bone hypoplasia, and in 57% of cases of nasal bone hypoplasia with additional malformations. Additionally, in four of nine cases with non-isolated nasal bone hypoplasia but normal CMA results, a monogenic disease was diagnosed. Non-isolated hypoplastic nasal bone appears to be an effective objective marker of fetal facial dysmorphism, associated with pathogenic CNVs or monogenic diseases. In isolated cases, chromosomal microarray testing can be of additional value if invasive testing is performed, e.g., for aneuploidy testing after appropriate counseling.

The absence of fetal nasal bones in ultrasound examination between 11 + 0 and 13 + 6 weeks of gestation versus the occurrence of trisomies 21, 18, and 13.

OBJECTIVES: One part of the ultrasound examination of fetuses in the first trimester of gestation is visualization of the nasal bones. Numerous studies have demonstrated a correlation between the absence of nasal bones and abnormal fetal karyotype. AIM: To assess the utility of ultrasound visualization of nasal bones during the first trimester of pregnancy as a marker of the most common chromosomal trisomies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ultrasound visualization of nasal bones was carried out in 941 fetuses from a high-risk group between 11 + 0 and 13 + 6 weeks of gestation. Amniocentesis was performed to determine karyotype in all 941 cases. RESULTS: Normal fetal karyotype was observed in 847 cases, trisomy 21 in 45 cases, trisomy 18 in 16 cases and trisomy 13 in 10 cases. Other abnormal karyotypes were detected in the remaining 23 cases. The absence of nasal bones demonstrated 27% sensitivity, 97% specificity and a positive predictive value of 35% as an indicator of trisomy 21 in the study group, and 12% sensitivity, 97% specificity and 12% positive predictive value for trisomies 18 and 13. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of nasal bones in ultrasound examination in the first trimester of pregnancy is characterized by low sensitivity and high specificity as a marker of the most common trisomies. Visualization of fetal nasal bone is a poor marker of aneuploidy and should not be taken into account in risk calculation algorithms.

Usefulness of saline infusion sonohysterography and feeding artery imaging in endometrial polyp diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of sonohysterography with feeding artery visualization using transvaginal sonography to diagnose endometrial polyps. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted an observational study of 60 perimenopausal patients referred to the Department of Fetal Medicine and Gynaecology, Medical University of Lodz with abnormal uterine bleeding or suspicion of endometrial pathology based on sonography scan. In all 60 patients transvaginal sonography scan showed a possibility of an endometrial polyp. Of these, 46 underwent saline infusion sonohysterography with sonography visualization of a feeding artery. Pathological examination was performed on material collected during hysteroscopy. RESULTS: Sonography detection of endometrial polyp based on feeding artery visualization had a 40% sensitivity, whereas sonohysterographic polyp detection had a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 100%. The positive and negative predictive values of saline infusion sonohysterography in diagnosing endometrial polyps were estimated at 75% and 72% (95% CI: 52-86%), respectively. The combination of sonohysterography and feeding artery imaging in transvaginal sonography was 84% sensitive and 95% specific in detecting endometrial polyps. The positive and negative predictive values were: PPV = 96% and NPV = 89%. CONCLUSION: Saline infusion sonohysterography with feeding artery visualization may become a standard method in the diagnostics of endometrial polyps in perimenopausal women.