Fetal exome sequencing for isolated increased nuchal translucency: should we be doing it?

Objective To evaluate the utility of prenatal exome sequencing (ES) for isolated increased nuchal translucency (NT) and to investigate factors that increase diagnostic yield. Design Retrospective analysis of data from two prospective cohort studies. Setting Fetal medicine centres in the UK and USA. Population Fetuses with increased NT >= 3.5 mm at 11-14 weeks of gestation recruited to the Prenatal Assessment of Genomes and Exomes (PAGE) and Columbia fetal whole exome sequencing studies (n = 213). Methods We grouped cases based on (1) the presence of additional structural abnormalities at presentation in the first trimester or later in pregnancy, and (2) NT measurement at presentation. We compared diagnostic rates between groups using Fisher exact test. Main outcome measures Detection of diagnostic genetic variants considered to have caused the observed fetal structural anomaly. Results Diagnostic variants were detected in 12 (22.2%) of 54 fetuses presenting with non-isolated increased NT, 12 (32.4%) of 37 fetuses with isolated increased NT in the first trimester and additional abnormalities later in pregnancy, and 2 (1.8%) of 111 fetuses with isolated increased NT in the first trimester and no other abnormalities on subsequent scans. Diagnostic rate also increased with increasing size of NT. Conclusions The diagnostic yield of prenatal ES is low for fetuses with isolated increased NT but significantly higher where there are additional structural anomalies. Prenatal ES may not be appropriate for truly isolated increased NT but timely, careful ultrasound scanning to identify other anomalies emerging later can direct testing to focus where there is a higher likelihood of diagnosis.

Automated summary

Prenatal exome sequencing has a low diagnostic yield for fetuses with isolated increased nuchal translucency, but significantly higher when there are additional structural anomalies present. It may not be appropriate for truly isolated increased NT cases, but careful ultrasound scanning to identify other anomalies emerging later can direct testing to focus where there is a higher likelihood of diagnosis.