• Development and Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 2021

This article aims to introduce German discussion on the approval of the non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD), which started with the development of PrenaTest^® by LifeCodexx AG. The discussion started with the concern that the non-invasive nature of NIPD, such as PrenaTest^®, may rapidly expand the use and scope of similar tests, thus leading to a new era of eugenics. Based on this concern, the need for clear clinical guidelines on specific indications for NIPD has been suggested. Along the same line, it was discussed whether PrenaTest^® is against the Basic Law prohibiting discrimination on grounds of disability and whether the test is outside the scope of the purpose of gene testing limited by Genetic Diagnosis Act. Through such discussion, the Federal Ministry of Health of Germany established the preconditions for inclusion of NIPD in the German public health insurance system. For this, the German motherhood guideline was amended and the information for the insured persons provided to pregnant women was included in the amended guideline. Such discussion made in Germany provides insight on which points should be considered when various gene testings are accepted in Korea, in which genetic communication has not been systematized yet. In particular, German counseling system for pregnant women will provide valuable insights for Korea where the direction for regulations on abortion has not been established even after the ruling by the Constitutional Court that charges for abortion are against the constitution.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as an alternative testing of invasive diagnostic testing in pregnancies with ultrasound abnormalities. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of pregnant women with abnormal ultrasound findings before 24 weeks of gestation between April 2016 and March 2017. Abnormal ultrasound findings included isolated increased nuchal translucency, structural anomalies, and soft markers. The NIPT or diagnostic test was conducted and NIPT detected trisomy 21 (T21), T18, T13 and sex chromosomal abnormalities. We analyzed the false positive and residual risks of NIPT based on the ultrasound findings. Results: During the study period, 824 pregnant women had abnormal ultrasound findings. Among the study population, 139 patients (16.9%) underwent NIPT. When NIPT was solely performed in the patients with abnormal ultrasound findings, overall false positive risk was 2.2% and this study found residual risks of NIPT. However, the discordant results of NIPT differed according to the type of abnormal ultrasound findings. Discordant results were significant in the group with structural anomalies with 4.4% false positive rate. However, no discordant results were found in the group with single soft markers. Conclusion: This study found different efficacy of NIPT according to the ultrasound findings. The results emphasize the importance of individualized counseling for prenatal screening or diagnostic test based on the type of abnormal ultrasound.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.72-78
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• 2018

Purpose: Physicians' attitudes may have a strong influence on women's decision regarding prenatal screening options. The aim of this study is to assess the physicians' attitudes toward prenatal screening for fetal aneuploidy including non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in South Korea. Materials and Methods: Questionnaires were distributed and collected at several obstetrics-gynecological conferences and meetings. The questionnaire included 31 multiple choice and 5 fill-in-the-blank questions. Seven questions requested physicians' demographic information, 17 questions requested information about the NIPT with cell-free fetal DNA, and 12 questions requested information about general prenatal screening practices. Results: Of the 203 obstetricians that completed the survey. In contrast with professional guidelines recommending the universal offering of aneuploidy screening, only 53.7% answered that prenatal aneuploidy testing (screening and/or invasive diagnostic testing) should be offered to all pregnant women. Physicians tended to have positive attitudes toward the clinical application of NIPT as both primary and secondary screening methods for patients at high-risk for fetal trisomy. However, for patients at average-risk for fetal trisomy, physicians tended to have positive attitudes only as a secondary screening method. Physicians with more knowledge about NIPT were found to tend to inform their patients that the detection rate of NIPT is higher. Conclusion: This is the first study to investigate expert opinion on prenatal screening in South Korea. Education of physicians is essential to ensure responsible patient counseling, informed consent, and appropriate management after NIPT.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.675-683
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• 2013

Purpose: Nineteen articles were analyzed to gather opinions and nursing implications about NIPT recently launched. Methods: Nineteen articles were selected from EBSCO (eBook business collection), Google Scholar, and two Korean academic d-bases with key words 'prenatal screening testing', 'prenatal genetic diagnostic testing', NIPT or 'cell free DNA (cfDNA)'. Authors developed a framework for analyzing the 19 articles including opinions and suggestions for future implications. Results: Eleven articles written by the first author affiliated with medicine or genetics, viewed NIPT as promising because of safety, accuracy, early detectability and cost effectiveness. Articles written by journalists or authors affiliated with history and ethics were concerned with the possible risk of ELSI (ethical, legal, social issues), erratic interpretation of test results, and lack of genetic counseling service. Conclusion: With consideration of Korean clinical, and legal circumstances, not only pregnant women and families but also health professionals must prepare for clinical NIPT implications including updating prenatal genetic testing, counseling services, protecting ELSI and amulticultural team approach.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2020

Purpose: To evaluate the additive value of prenatal chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) in assessing increased nuchal translucency (NT) (≥3.5 mm) with normal karyotype and the possibility of detecting clinically significant genomic imbalance, based on specific indications. Materials and Methods: Invasive samples from 494 pregnancies with NT ≥3.5 mm, obtained from the Research Center of Fertility & Genetics of Hamchoon Women's Clinic between January 2019 and February 2020, were included in this study and CMA was performed in addition to a standard karyotype. Results: In total, 494 cases were subjected to both karyotype and CMA analyses. Among these, 199 cases of aneuploidy were excluded. CMA was performed on the remaining 295 cases (59.7%), which showed normal (231/295, 78.3%) or non-significant copy number variation (CNV), such as benign CNV or variants of uncertain clinical significance likely benign (53/295, 18.0%). Clinically significant CNVs were detected in 11 cases (11/295, 3.7%). Conclusion: Prenatal CMA resulted in a 3% to 4% higher CNV diagnosis rate in fetuses exhibiting increased NT (≥3.5 mm) without other ultrasound detected anomalies and normal karyotype. Therefore, we suggest using high resolution, non- targeting CMA to provide valuable additional information for prenatal diagnosis. Further, we recommend that a genetics specialist should be consulted to interpret the information appropriately and provide counseling and follow-up services after prenatal CMA.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.68-72
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• 2020

Purpose: Trisomy 21, the cause of Down syndrome (DS) with various medical problems, is the most common aneuploidy during the fetal period. For diagnosis, a non-invasive screening test using maternal blood, which cannot be confirmed and invasive confirmation test with a risk of miscarriage, may be performed. The trophoblast retrieval and isolation of the cervix (TRIC) have been proposed by some researchers as an alternative to overcome the limitations of current tests. We experimented using TRIC to identify the possibility of trisomy 21 for the first time in Asia. Materials and Methods: Three cases of DS were analyzed confirmed by invasive tests (chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis). All samples of trophoblasts immediately were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline and processed with formalin for fixation. The trophoblasts were isolated using an anti-human leukocyte antigen-G antibody coupled to magnetic nanoparticles. β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-expressing cells were considered as trophoblast cells, and the detection rate calculated. DS was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Results: The mean trophoblast detection rate using β-hCG was 78.1%, and the detection rate using FISH was 22.2%. In all cases, the trisomy of chromosome 21 was identified. Conclusion: Trophoblast can be obtained from the five weeks of gestation and has a high detection rate, so it is noted that it can replace the current prenatal genetic test. To realize the clinical application as a prenatal genetic test, we will need additional efforts to identify trisomy 21 as well as other chromosomal abnormalities in future large-scale studies.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2016

Purpose: Molecular genetic analysis is the main approach used for prenatal diagnosis of hemophilia A and B. However, in certain cases, such analysis is uninformative. In such situations, direct measurement of fetal coagulation factor levels is still the best option, and it may be the only option in some cases. This study was conducted to determine the normal ranges of mid-trimester cord blood factor VIII (FVIII) and IX (FIX) in a Korean population. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six FVIII samples and 29 FIX samples were assayed in fetal cord blood acquired by ultrasound-guided cordocentesis. Sampling was conducted during gestational ages of 19-24 weeks. Results: The mean and standard deviations for FVIII and FIX activity were $45.5{\pm}30.5%$ and $19.9{\pm}12.2%$, respectively. Ranges for FVIII and FIX were 1.5-125.0% and 6.0-52.0%, respectively. Conclusion: Our study revealed the normal ranges and lowest level of factor VIII and factor IX in non-affected normal fetus by fetal cord blood sampling during the mid-trimester in a Korea population. The factor assay of the fetal cord blood is invasive but feasible and provides important basic data related to hemophilia.