THE LEVELS OF CIRCULATORY FETAL DNA IN MATERNAL PLASMA ARE ELEVATED PRIOR TO THE ONSET OF PREECLAMPSIA

Abstract

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.