• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.463-477
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• 2018

Purpose: This study identifies correlations among information needs and knowledge about prenatal genetic screening and diagnosis (I-PGSD & K-PGSD), and attitude toward terminating pregnancy (ATP) among pregnant women in South Korea. Methods: A descriptive survey was conducted from January 2013 to April 2014 in South Korea. 222 pregnant women responded to three questionnaires developed by the authors. The questionnaire for I-PGSD consisted of 19 questions; 18 questions for K-PGSD; and 10 questions for ATP. Results: Mean scores were $80.46{\pm}11.73$ for I-PGSD; $14.86{\pm}3.74$ for K-PGSD; and $33.71{\pm}6.13$ for ATP. The ATP score was positively correlated with the I-PGSD and K-PGSD scores, but statistically significant with only I-PGSD (p=.006). I-PGSD scores were higher than average on three genetic syndromes (Down, Patau, and Edwards syndrome), on management after the diagnosis of positive fetal aneuploidy, and on test result interpretation after the amniocentesis and level II fetal ultrasonogram. Conclusions: In light of current legal and moral controversy regarding terminating pregnancy and rapidly advancing prenatal genetic testing technology, more prenatal genetic education for nurses and nursing students who teach pregnant women is needed. In addition, more professional counseling services provided by trained nurses are also required.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.53-57
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• 1998

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I is a common severe autosomal recessive inherited neuromuscular disorder that has been mapped to chromosome 5q11.2-13.3. The survival motor neuron (SMN) gene, a candidate gene, is known to be deleted in 96% of patients with SMA type I. Presently, PCR and single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analyses have been made possible for application to both archival slides and paraffin-embedded tissues. Archival materials represent valuable DNA resources for genetic diagnosis. We applied these methods for the identification of SMN gene of SMA type I in archival specimens for the prenatal diagnosis. In this study, we performed the prenatal diagnosis with chorionic villus sampling (CVS) cells on two women who had experienced neonatal death of SMA type I. DNA extraction was done from archival slide and tissue materials and PEP-PCR was performed using CVS cells. In order to identify common deletion region of SMN and neuronal apoptosis-inhibitory protein (NAIP) genes, cold PCR-SSCP and PCR-restriction site assay were carried out. Case 1 had deletions of the exons 7 and 8, and case 2 had exon 7 only on the telomeric SMN gene. Both cases were found to be normal on NAIP gene. These results were the same for both CVS and archival biopsied specimens. In both cases, the fetuses were, therefore, predicted to be at very high risk of being affected and the pregnancy were terminated. These data clearly demonstrate that archival slide and paraffin-embedded tissues can be a valuable source of DNA when the prenatal genetic diagnosis is needed in case any source for genetic analysis is not readily available due to previous death of the fetus or neonate.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2017

Cat eye syndrome (CES) is a very rare chromosomal syndrome characterized by various malformations such as anal atresia, preauricular malformation, coloboma of the iris, and congenial heart and renal defects. This genetic disorder is caused by partial duplication of chromosome 22, mostly as a result of a supernumerary isodicentric marker chromosome idic(22)(q11.2). Various congenital abnormalities and extreme phenotypic variability in CES patients have been reported, which have made prenatal diagnosis of CES difficult. We report the first case diagnosed with CES prenatally by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification in a woman who was referred to our hospital, for a fetus presenting with heart anomaly.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2010

Many endocrine disorders have a genetic component. The genetic component is the major etiologic factor in monogenic disorders, while multiple genes in conjunction with environmental and lifestyle factors contribute to the pathogenesis in complex disorders. The development of the molecular basis of inherited endocrine diseases has undergone a dramatic evolution during the last two decades. The application of molecular technology allowed us to increase our understanding of endocrine diseases, and to impact on the practice of pediatric endocrinology related to diagnosis and genetic counseling. Identification of the mutation in the particular disease by genetic testing leads to precise diagnosis in the equivocal cases and prenatal diagnosis. However, clinicians should be cautious about determining therapeutic decisions solely on the basis of molecular studies, especially in the area of prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy. This review describes an introduction to molecular basis of various inherited endocrine diseases and diagnosis by genetic testing.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.393-398
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• 1997

Cytogenetic analysis was performed in 1321 couples and 141 women with history of abnormal reproductive outcome during 1988-1996. The use of high resolution banding technique and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in the chromosome analysis has made the precise evaluation of chromosome aberrations. The prevalence of balanced chromosomal translocation carriers were 3.74% (104/2783 patients). 70 cases (2.52%) were reciprocal translocation carriers and 34 (1.22%) had Robertsonian translocations. Chromosome aberrations were more frequent in women (73 cases) than in men (31 cases). No phenotypical abnormalities were found in all carriers, but they experienced abnormal reproductive outcomes such as recurrent spontaneous abortions, anomalous offsprings or infertility problem. Prenatal diagnosis was carried out on 36 subsequent pregnancies in balanced translocation carriers. The fetal karyotypes showed that 12 cases (33%) were normal, 22 (61%) were balanced translocations, and two (6%) were unbalanced translocations. It is concluded that the prevalence of balanced chromosomal translocations in patients with abnormal reproductive outcome is higher than that of the normal population. Most of the fetal samples showed normal karyotypes or balanced translocations. Although the incidence of chromosomal imbalance in the fetuses was relatively low in prenatal diagnosis, individuals with balanced translocations are predisposed to abnormal offspring with partial trisomy or monosomy. Therefore we recommend that genetic counselling and cytogenetic prenatal diagnosis for translocation carriers have to be offered to prevent recurrent chromosomal abnormal babies.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.100-104
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• 2011

Genetic testing has been generalized for the diagnosis of diseases and is an important method of research with advances in the life sciences. In particular, we should give better attention to the genetic test for a fetus. Because the fetus has no autonomy, ethical and social issues can arise. Therefore, appropriate genetic counseling is needed for parents to be informed with the characteristics, natural progress, and possible treatment of a genetic disease, prior to the prenatal genetic test. Physicians should also inform parents how a particular genetic risk factor relates with the likelihood of a disease, in order to assist the parents in making the best decision. Furthermore, the current law for prenatal genetic testing should be approached rationally.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.95-98
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• 2016

We report the prenatal diagnosis of an unbalanced translocation between chromosome Y and chromosome 15 in a female fetus. Cytogenetic analysis of parental chromosomes revealed that the mother had a normal 46,XX karyotype, whereas the father exhibited a 46,XY,der(15)t(Y;15) karyotype. We performed cytogenetic analysis of the father's family as a result of the father and confirmed the same karyotype in his mother and brother. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and quantitative fluorescent-polymerase chain reaction analysis identified the breakpoint and demonstrated the absence of the SRY gene in female members. Thus, the proband inherited this translocation from the father and grandmother. This makes the prediction of the fetal phenotype possible through assessing the grandmother. Therefore, we suggest that conventional cytogenetic and molecular cytogenetic methods, in combination with family history, provide informative results for prenatal diagnosis and prenatal genetic counseling.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.38-42
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• 2017

The 4p deletion syndrome, also known as Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, is a well-known genetic disorder caused by a partial deletion of the short arm of chromosome 4. The great variability in the extent of the 4p deletion and the possible contribution of additional genetic rearrangements leads to a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Herein, we present our experience with eight cases of 4p deletion syndrome, ascertained prenatally between 1998 and 2016 at our hospital.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.762-769
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• 2022

Genetic testing in prenatal diagnosis is a precious tool providing valuable information in clinical management and parental decision-making. For the last year, cytogenetic testing methods, such as G-banding karyotype analysis, fluorescent in situ hybridization, chromosomal microarray, and gene panels have evolved to become part of routine laboratory testing. However, the limitations of each of these methods demonstrate the need for a revolutionary technology that can alleviate the need for multiple technologies. The recent introduction of new genomic technologies based on next-generation sequencing has changed the current practice of prenatal testing. The promise of these innovations lies in the fast and cost-effective generation of genome-scale sequence data with exquisite resolution and accuracy for prenatal diagnosis. Here, we review the current state of sequencing-based pediatric diagnostics, associated challenges, as well as future prospects.