Circulating Maternal Serum Cell Free Fetal DNA Levels for Prediction of Preeclampsia

Abstract Objective To measure the maternal serum cell free fetal DNA and establish the relationship between maternal serum cell free fetal DNA levels and preeclampsia (PE). Study Design A nested case-control study was conducted on 30 patients with PE and 30 matched controls aged (18-40 years) attending Ain Shams university maternity hospital, with single viable fetus beyond 20 weeks gestational age. Blood samples were withdrawn upon enrollment; then measuring the cell free fetal DNA was done upon identification of cases and matched controls. Results The study showed that there was a significant difference in CFFDNA level between the studied groups, with patients with preeclampsia having higher levels than controls. Also, the maternal serum CFFDNA level can accurately predict preeclampsia, with area under the curve 0.979. Conclusion Maternal serum cell free DNA can be used for prediction of PE. The mean levels of CFFDNA correlate with probability of developing maternal complications in cases of PE.