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Rare autosomal trisomies detected by non-invasive prenatal testing: an overview of current knowledge

A Comment to this article was published on 31 August 2022

Abstract

Non-invasive prenatal testing has been introduced for the detection of Trisomy 13, 18, and 21. Using genome-wide screening also other “rare” autosomal trisomies (RATs) can be detected with a frequency about half the frequency of the common trisomies in the large population-based studies. Large prospective studies and clear clinical guidelines are lacking to provide adequate counseling and management to those who are confronted with a RAT as a healthcare professional or patient. In this review we reviewed the current knowledge of the most common RATs. We compiled clinical relevant parameters such as incidence, meiotic or mitotic origin, the risk of fetal (mosaic) aneuploidy, clinical manifestations of fetal mosaicism for a RAT, the effect of confined placental mosaicism on placental function and the risk of uniparental disomy (UPD). Finally, we identified gaps in the knowledge on RATs and highlight areas of future research. This overview may serve as a first guide for prenatal management for each of these RATs.

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Fig. 1: Frequency of RATs detected by NIPT.
Fig. 2: Risk of fetal trisomy per RAT detected by NIPT in population-based studies.

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Funding

Clinical research funding (KOOR-funding University Hospital Leuven) for Lore Lannoo/Kristel Van Calsteren.

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All authors:—Conceived and/or designed the work that led to the submission, acquired data, and/or played an important role in interpreting the results. - Drafted or revised the manuscript. - Approved the final version. Agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

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Correspondence to Koenraad Devriendt.

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Lannoo, L., van Straaten, K., Breckpot, J. et al. Rare autosomal trisomies detected by non-invasive prenatal testing: an overview of current knowledge. Eur J Hum Genet 30, 1323–1330 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41431-022-01147-1

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