Implications of non-invasive prenatal testing for identifying and managing high-risk pregnancies

Non-invasive prenatal testing is regularly used to screen for aneuploidies and Rhesus status of a fetus. Since 1997 when free fetal DNA (ffDNA) in the maternal circulation was first identified, it has been hypothesized that may be possible use non-invasive (NIPT) identify high-risk pregnancies including pre-eclampsia, growth restriction preterm birth. then there much interest this area as way understand disease processes. This review presents current evidence approach. For pre-eclampsia hypothesis ffDNA would increase but heterogenous across studies trimesters. There however increasing agreement between by third trimester more likely raised pre-eclamptic patients than controls. birth, again, main should increase. The results are also heterogenous, with some finding increased prior others no change. restriction, competing theories reduced suggest levels reduced. complexities interpreting all studies’ designs, patient populations, especially context definitions not clear. Furthermore, authors different biochemical tests units describe their results, making meta-analysis difficult. All these issues conflicting findings lead us conclusion currently yet definitive place clinical practice NIPT support diagnosis management pregnancies. However, vital research continues could open door better understanding process novel approaches management.