Research into a simple, accurate, and low-risk blood test that can detect Rh blood group, D antigen (RHD), sex, and certain genetic conditions of the fetus, has been published in the November 2015 issue of Clinical Chemistry. The article is titled “Fetal Sex and RHD Genotyping with Digital PCR Demonstrates Greater Sensitivity than Real-time PCR.” The research is the result of a collaboration between Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust and Plymouth University, both in the UK. The DNA test costs pence and is non-invasive, as opposed to the traditional amniocentesis test that is available on the NHS, involves a needle, and carries a minor (1%) risk of miscarriage. The newly developed test can be carried out on mothers at risk of X-linked genetic recessive diseases, including hemophilia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and on mothers at risk of hemolytic disease of the new-born. The test can use the blood that is taken from the mother when she has her first appointment with her general practitioner or midwife at the early stages of pregnancy, negating the need for multiple appointments and making best use of resources. Lead corresponding author for the study, Professor Neil Avent, Ph.D., from the Plymouth University School of Biomedical and Healthcare Sciences where he is Professor of Molecular Diagnostics and Transfusion Medicine; explained. "Although fetal blood grouping and sexing using maternal blood has been done for over a decade, this research proves a much more accurate and sensitive method of detecting fetal DNA. This offers great opportunities to detect other conditions using this technique, but is much cheaper than current non-invasive methods. The end is now in sight for the invasive techniques of amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling." He added the following.
Login Or Register To Read Full Story