International Journal of
Reproductive Biomedicine
Fri, Nov 13, 2026
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Volume 23, Issue 2 (February 2025)
Int J Reprod BioMed. 2025, 23(2): 111-130 |
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Keshari J R, Prakash P, Sinha S R, Prakash P, Rani K, Aziz T et al . Diagnostic potential of cell-free fetal nucleic acids in predicting pregnancy complications: A systematic review and meta-analysis on trisomy, pre-eclampsia, and gestational diabetes. Int J Reprod BioMed. 2025; 23 (2) :111-130
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-3340-en.html
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-3340-en.html
Jiut Ram Keshari *1 
, Pritam Prakash2 , Seema Rani Sinha2 , Prem Prakash3 , Kirti Rani2 , Tarique Aziz4 , Shaily Shilpa2
, Pritam Prakash2 , Seema Rani Sinha2 , Prem Prakash3 , Kirti Rani2 , Tarique Aziz4 , Shaily Shilpa2
1- Department of Biochemistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India. , jiutram@rediffmail.com
2- Department of Biochemistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India., Department of Biochemistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sheikhpura, Patna, Bihar, India. Postal Code: 800014
3- Department of General Surgery, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India., Department of Biochemistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sheikhpura, Patna, Bihar, India. Postal Code: 800014
4- Department of Biochemistry, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India., Department of Biochemistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sheikhpura, Patna, Bihar, India. Postal Code: 800014
2- Department of Biochemistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India., Department of Biochemistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sheikhpura, Patna, Bihar, India. Postal Code: 800014
3- Department of General Surgery, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India., Department of Biochemistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sheikhpura, Patna, Bihar, India. Postal Code: 800014
4- Department of Biochemistry, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India., Department of Biochemistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sheikhpura, Patna, Bihar, India. Postal Code: 800014
Abstract: (1619 Views)
Background: Recent studies reveal an association between increased cell-free fetal (cff) nucleic acid in maternal blood and pregnancy challenges like loss, pre-eclampsia, growth restriction, and preterm labor.
Objective: This article assesses the role of cff nucleic acids as potential diagnostic markers for the prediction and monitoring progression of severe pregnancy-related complications.
Materials and Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, various databases were searched. Original articles reporting on the role of cff nucleic acids in predicting the complications of pregnancy were included. I square test and funnel plot were used to analyze heterogeneity and publication bias, respectively. The quality of studies was assessed using the critical appraisal checklists for studies created by the Joanna Briggs Institute.
Results: 70 publications were selected for the final qualitative analysis. Articles were published between 2010 and 2023, and most studies were conducted in the USA and China. The majority of studies were conducted on the quantity of cff-DNA (n = 40), and the remaining on microRNA (n = 18), messenger RNA (n = 11), and cell-free RNA (n = 1). The pooled sensitivity of cff nucleic acids for detecting trisomy was found to be 90.9 (95% CI: 80.9-100%). MicroRNA levels were significantly increased in participants with gestational diabetes mellitus, with a standardized mean difference of 1.22 (95% CI: -0.90-3.34).
Conclusion: Fetal nucleic acids can serve as accurate noninvasive diagnostic tools for predicting serious complications during pregnancy.
Objective: This article assesses the role of cff nucleic acids as potential diagnostic markers for the prediction and monitoring progression of severe pregnancy-related complications.
Materials and Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, various databases were searched. Original articles reporting on the role of cff nucleic acids in predicting the complications of pregnancy were included. I square test and funnel plot were used to analyze heterogeneity and publication bias, respectively. The quality of studies was assessed using the critical appraisal checklists for studies created by the Joanna Briggs Institute.
Results: 70 publications were selected for the final qualitative analysis. Articles were published between 2010 and 2023, and most studies were conducted in the USA and China. The majority of studies were conducted on the quantity of cff-DNA (n = 40), and the remaining on microRNA (n = 18), messenger RNA (n = 11), and cell-free RNA (n = 1). The pooled sensitivity of cff nucleic acids for detecting trisomy was found to be 90.9 (95% CI: 80.9-100%). MicroRNA levels were significantly increased in participants with gestational diabetes mellitus, with a standardized mean difference of 1.22 (95% CI: -0.90-3.34).
Conclusion: Fetal nucleic acids can serve as accurate noninvasive diagnostic tools for predicting serious complications during pregnancy.
Type of Study: Review Article |
Subject:
Reproductive Genetics
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