Analysis of fetal fraction in non-invasive prenatal testing with low-depth whole genome sequencing

Background: The fetal fraction (FF) is a critical factor influencing the performance of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Different NIPT methods and sequencing depths can lead to distinct minimum FF thresholds for Trisomy 21 (T21). This study aims to analyze the minimum FF thresholds for detecti...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiaolei Xie, Weiguo Yin, Fuguang Li, Suxia Xuan, Yu Ouyang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Heliyon
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024175949
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1841533345612169216
author Xiaolei Xie
Weiguo Yin
Fuguang Li
Suxia Xuan
Yu Ouyang
author_facet Xiaolei Xie
Weiguo Yin
Fuguang Li
Suxia Xuan
Yu Ouyang
author_sort Xiaolei Xie
collection DOAJ
description Background: The fetal fraction (FF) is a critical factor influencing the performance of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Different NIPT methods and sequencing depths can lead to distinct minimum FF thresholds for Trisomy 21 (T21). This study aims to analyze the minimum FF thresholds for detecting T21 in PCR-free NIPT using a low-depth whole genome sequencing method. Methods: A total of 71 non-pregnant women and 4827 pregnant women were enrolled for a study investigating the impact of FF on NIPT testing. Results: The results showed a weak negative correlation between cfDNA levels and age in non-pregnant women. There was no statistically significant difference in the ratio of chromosome 13, 18, and 21 between pregnant and non-pregnant women. The minimum FF required for 100 % detection of trisomy 21 was determined to be 5 % in PCR-free NIPT using a low-depth whole genome sequencing method. Analysis of a large sample revealed that 4.43 % of pregnant women exhibited FF below 5 %, with those having lower FF showing significantly higher maternal weight compared to those near the median. Furthermore, FF demonstrated a significant negative correlation with the weight of pregnant women; specifically, an FF of 5 % at 12–19 weeks corresponded to a weight of 96 kg, while at 20–22 weeks it corresponded to a weight of 93 kg. Conclusions: These results suggest that the FF below 5 %, or pregnant women weighing over 93 kg, should be given more attention in clinical genetic counseling.
format Article
id doaj-art-eed04b9695544410bd6a4c7b195cdf86
institution Kabale University
issn 2405-8440
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Heliyon
spelling doaj-art-eed04b9695544410bd6a4c7b195cdf862025-01-17T04:51:39ZengElsevierHeliyon2405-84402025-01-01111e41563Analysis of fetal fraction in non-invasive prenatal testing with low-depth whole genome sequencingXiaolei Xie0Weiguo Yin1Fuguang Li2Suxia Xuan3Yu Ouyang4Corresponding author. No. 35, Yinquan North Road, Qingcheng District, Qingyuan, Guangdong, 511518, China.; Molecular Diagnosis Center, Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University (Qingyuan People's Hospital), 511518, Qingyuan, ChinaMolecular Diagnosis Center, Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University (Qingyuan People's Hospital), 511518, Qingyuan, ChinaMolecular Diagnosis Center, Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University (Qingyuan People's Hospital), 511518, Qingyuan, ChinaMolecular Diagnosis Center, Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University (Qingyuan People's Hospital), 511518, Qingyuan, ChinaMolecular Diagnosis Center, Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University (Qingyuan People's Hospital), 511518, Qingyuan, ChinaBackground: The fetal fraction (FF) is a critical factor influencing the performance of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Different NIPT methods and sequencing depths can lead to distinct minimum FF thresholds for Trisomy 21 (T21). This study aims to analyze the minimum FF thresholds for detecting T21 in PCR-free NIPT using a low-depth whole genome sequencing method. Methods: A total of 71 non-pregnant women and 4827 pregnant women were enrolled for a study investigating the impact of FF on NIPT testing. Results: The results showed a weak negative correlation between cfDNA levels and age in non-pregnant women. There was no statistically significant difference in the ratio of chromosome 13, 18, and 21 between pregnant and non-pregnant women. The minimum FF required for 100 % detection of trisomy 21 was determined to be 5 % in PCR-free NIPT using a low-depth whole genome sequencing method. Analysis of a large sample revealed that 4.43 % of pregnant women exhibited FF below 5 %, with those having lower FF showing significantly higher maternal weight compared to those near the median. Furthermore, FF demonstrated a significant negative correlation with the weight of pregnant women; specifically, an FF of 5 % at 12–19 weeks corresponded to a weight of 96 kg, while at 20–22 weeks it corresponded to a weight of 93 kg. Conclusions: These results suggest that the FF below 5 %, or pregnant women weighing over 93 kg, should be given more attention in clinical genetic counseling.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024175949Cell-free DNAFetal fractionNIPTMaternal weightTrisomy 21
spellingShingle Xiaolei Xie
Weiguo Yin
Fuguang Li
Suxia Xuan
Yu Ouyang
Analysis of fetal fraction in non-invasive prenatal testing with low-depth whole genome sequencing
Heliyon
Cell-free DNA
Fetal fraction
NIPT
Maternal weight
Trisomy 21
title Analysis of fetal fraction in non-invasive prenatal testing with low-depth whole genome sequencing
title_full Analysis of fetal fraction in non-invasive prenatal testing with low-depth whole genome sequencing
title_fullStr Analysis of fetal fraction in non-invasive prenatal testing with low-depth whole genome sequencing
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of fetal fraction in non-invasive prenatal testing with low-depth whole genome sequencing
title_short Analysis of fetal fraction in non-invasive prenatal testing with low-depth whole genome sequencing
title_sort analysis of fetal fraction in non invasive prenatal testing with low depth whole genome sequencing
topic Cell-free DNA
Fetal fraction
NIPT
Maternal weight
Trisomy 21
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405844024175949
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaoleixie analysisoffetalfractioninnoninvasiveprenataltestingwithlowdepthwholegenomesequencing
AT weiguoyin analysisoffetalfractioninnoninvasiveprenataltestingwithlowdepthwholegenomesequencing
AT fuguangli analysisoffetalfractioninnoninvasiveprenataltestingwithlowdepthwholegenomesequencing
AT suxiaxuan analysisoffetalfractioninnoninvasiveprenataltestingwithlowdepthwholegenomesequencing
AT yuouyang analysisoffetalfractioninnoninvasiveprenataltestingwithlowdepthwholegenomesequencing