Algorithm development and diagnostic accuracy testing for non-invasive foetal RHD genotyping: an Indian experience

Abstract

Background - The discovery of the cell-free foetal DNA (cffDNA) circulating in the maternal plasma enabled prediction of foetal RHD thus eliminating the risks associated with invasive procedures. Non-invasive foetal RHD genotyping has now become the standard approach in developed countries for management of alloimmunised women and is also used for targeted antenatal prophylaxis in non-alloimmunised women.
Materials and methods - cffDNA was extracted from the plasma of 217 RhD negative pregnant women at a gestational age of 10-34 weeks. The foetal RHD genotype was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) amplification of exons 4, 5 and 10 in duplicates. After an initial 54 samples, foetal typing was carried out with RHD exons 5 and 10 for the remaining samples. CCR5, SRY and RASSF1A genes were used as controls. Results were compared with cord blood serological typing at birth.
Results - Out of the 217 women, 193 were non-immunised and 24 were alloimmunised. A conclusive diagnosis was obtained in 203 samples. Diagnosis was inconclusive in 14 samples; of these, foetal RHD genotype could be resolved in six samples after maternal and paternal RHD genotyping. A 100% diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity and specificity were demonstrated in 209 women who had had a conclusive result. When the inconclusive samples were included, diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity were more than 95% and specificity was 78.95%.
Discussion - Anti-D is still the leading cause of haemolytic disease of the foetus and the newborn in India. There is, therefore, a need to establish and develop an algorithm for antenatal RhD negative women in India. The positive results of non-invasive foetal RHD genotyping, from the start of the 10^th week of gestation using two RHD exons giving 100% diagnostic accuracy, show promise for routine diagnostic use to the benefit of the antenatal RhD negative Indian population.