Ib. Vandenveyver et al., PRENATAL-DIAGNOSIS OF THE RHD FETAL BLOOD-TYPE ON AMNIOTIC-FLUID BY POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION, Obstetrics and gynecology, 87(3), 1996, pp. 419-422
Objective: To assess the accuracy of a molecular assay for the determi
nation of the fetal RhD status on amniotic fluid (AF) samples. Methods
: Amplification of DNA by polymerase chain reaction of a common sequen
ce of the RhD and CE genes and of a unique sequence of the RhD gene wa
s performed on AF directly or after DNA extraction. Samples of AF obta
ined from patients undergoing amniocentesis for standard obstetric ind
ications were used for the study. Results: Amplification of DNA was su
ccessful on 112 of 114 samples. One hundred four fetuses were found to
be RhD positive and eight were found to be RhD negative. Serologic co
nfirmation of the RhD blood type was available on 108 samples and DNA
diagnosis was correct in all cases. Conclusion: Polymerase chain react
ion can be used to determine accurately the fetal RhD blood type from
AF samples.