The utilization of circulating cell-free fetal DNA testing and decrease in invasive diagnostic procedures: An institutional experience

Abstract

Objective:To characterize the patient population utilizing circulating cell-free fetal DNA (ccffDNA) testing at a large academic center and evaluate trends in the performance of invasive diagnostic procedures.Study design:A retrospective cohort study of all patients who underwent cell-free DNA testing from May to December 2012 was performed.Result:During the study period, 206 patients had cell-free DNA testing. Of those, 75% (155/206) were of ages ≥35 years. Of those undergoing ccffDNA testing, 41% had positive aneuploidy screening and 38% had abnormal ultrasound findings. Only 7% of the patients with negative ccffDNA testing opted for an invasive diagnostic procedure compared with 60% with positive testing (P<0.01). The rate of invasive procedures decreased from 5.9% of all visits to the center during a similar 8-month period in 2010 to 4.1% of all visits during the study period (P<0.01).Conclusion:Our data suggest that ccffDNA testing leads to reduced uptake of invasive procedures.