Performance of a universal prenatal screening program incorporating cell-free fetal DNA analysis in Ontario, Canada.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The emergence of cell-free fetal DNA (cfDNA) testing technology has disrupted the landscape of prenatal screening for trisomies 21 (T21) and 18 (T18). Publicly funded systems around the world are grappling with how to best integrate this more accurate but costly technology, as there is limited evidence about its incremental value in real-world conditions. The objectives of this study were to describe the population-based performance of Ontario's prenatal screening program, which incorporates publicly funded cfDNA screening for specific indications, and the effect of cfDNA testing on the screening and diagnostic choices made by pregnant people.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, descriptive cohort study using routinely collected data from Better Outcomes & Regis

SUBMITTER: Dougan SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8354647 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature