Nuchal translucency of 3.0-3.4 mm an indication for NIPT or microarray? Cohort analysis and literature review

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  • Petersen, Olav Bennike Bjørn
  • Eric Smith
  • Diane Van Opstal
  • Marike Polak
  • Maarten F.C.M. Knapen
  • Karin E.M. Diderich
  • Caterina M. Bilardo
  • Lidia R. Arends
  • Ida Vogel
  • Malgorzata I. Srebniak

Introduction: Currently fetal nuchal translucency (NT) ≥3.5 mm is an indication for invasive testing often followed by chromosomal microarray. The aim of this study was to assess the risks for chromosomal aberrations in fetuses with an NT 3.0-3.4 mm, to determine whether invasive prenatal testing would be relevant in these cases and to assess the residual risks in fetuses with normal non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) results. Material and methods: A retrospective study and meta-analysis of literature cases with NT between 3.0 and 3.4 mm and 2 cohorts of pregnant women referred for invasive testing and chromosomal microarray was performed: Rotterdam region (with a risk >1:200 and NT between 3.0 and 3.4 mm) tested in the period July 2012 to June 2019 and Central Denmark region (with a risk >1:300 and NT between 3.0 and 3.4 mm) tested between September 2015 and December 2018. Results: A total of 522 fetuses were referred for invasive testing and chromosomal microarray. Meta-analysis indicated that in 1:7.4 (13.5% [95% CI 8.2%-21.5%]) fetuses a chromosomal aberration was diagnosed. Of these aberrant cases, 47/68 (69%) involved trisomy 21, 18, and 13 and would potentially be detected by all NIPT approaches. The residual risk for missing a (sub)microscopic chromosome aberration depends on the NIPT approach and is highest if NIPT was performed only for common trisomies–1:21 (4.8% [95% CI 3.2%-7.3%]). However, it may be substantially lowered if a genome-wide 10-Mb resolution NIPT test was offered (~1:464). Conclusions: Based on these data, we suggest that the NT cut-off for invasive testing could be 3.0 mm (instead of 3.5 mm) because of the high risk of 1:7.4 for a chromosomal aberration. If women were offered NIPT first, there would be a significant diagnostic delay because all abnormal NIPT results need to be confirmed by diagnostic testing. If the woman had already received a normal NIPT result, the residual risk of 1:21 to 1:464 for chromosome aberrations other than common trisomies, dependent on the NIPT approach, should be raised. If a pregnant woman declines invasive testing, but still wants a test with a broader coverage of clinically significant conditions then the genome-wide >10-Mb resolution NIPT test, which detects most aberrations, could be proposed.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
Volume99
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)765-774
ISSN0001-6349
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2020

Bibliographical note

Genetics and pregnancy. Prenatal Genetic Testing (PGT), Non‐Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) and other advanced genetic tests

    Research areas

  • microarray, microdeletion, non-invasive prenatal test, nuchal translucency, prenatal diagnosis, submicroscopic chromosomal abnormalities

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