Exome Sequencing in Fetuses with Structural Malformations

Fiona Mackie, Keren J Carss, Sarah C Hillman, Matthew E Hurles, Mark D Kilby, Fiona MacKie

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Prenatal diagnostic testing is a rapidly advancing field. An accurate diagnosis of structural anomalies and additional abnormalities in fetuses with structural anomalies is important to allow "triage" and designation of prognosis. This will allow parents to make an informed decision relating to the pregnancy. This review outlines the current tests used in prenatal diagnosis, focusing particularly on "new technologies" such as exome sequencing. We demonstrate the utility of exome sequencing above that of conventional karyotyping and Chromosomal Microarray (CMA) alone by outlining a recent proof of concept study investigating 30 parent-fetus trios where the fetus is known to have a structural anomaly. This may allow the identification of pathological gene anomalies and consequently improved prognostic profiling, as well as excluding anomalies and distinguishing between de novo and inherited mutations, in order to estimate the recurrence risk in future pregnancies. The potential ethical dilemmas surrounding exome sequencing are also considered, and the future of prenatal genetic diagnosis is discussed.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)747-62
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Clinical Medicine
Volume3
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jul 2014

Keywords

  • prenatal diagnosis
  • fetus
  • prenatal
  • exome sequencing

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