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

Abstract

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. 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. 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). Our data independently confirm the finding that maternal plasma cell free fetal DNA levels are elevated early in pregnancies, which later develop preeclampsia.