ABSTRACT
(1)
Background:
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a
screening test for fetal
aneuploidy using
cell-free fetal
DNA. The fetal fragments (FF) of
cell-free DNA (
cfDNA) are derived from apoptotic
trophoblast of the
placenta. The level of fetal
cfDNA is known to be influenced by
gestational age,
multiple pregnancies, maternal weight, and height. (2)
Methods:
This study is a single-center retrospective
observational study which examines the relationship between the fetal fraction (FF) of
cell-free DNA in non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and adverse
pregnancy outcomes in singleton
pregnancies. A total of 1393 samples were collected between 10 weeks and 6 days, and 25 weeks and 3 days of
gestation. (3)
Results:
Hypertensive
disease of
pregnancy (HDP) occurred more frequently in the low FF group than the normal FF group (5.17% vs. 1.91%, p = 0.001). Although the rates of small for
gestational age (SGA) and
placental abruption did not significantly differ between groups, the composite outcome was significantly higher in the low FF group (7.76% vs. 3.64%, p = 0.002). Furthermore,
women who later experienced
complications such as HDP or
gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) had significantly lower
plasma FF levels compared to those without
complications (p < 0.001). After
adjustments, the low FF group exhibited a significantly higher likelihood of placental compromise (adjusted
odds ratio 1.946). (4)
Conclusions:
Low FF in NIPT during the first and early
second trimesters is associated with adverse
pregnancy outcomes, particularly HDP, suggesting its potential as a predictive marker for such outcomes.