Prenatal diagnosis of inborn errors in peroxisomal beta-oxidation

In recent years, an increasing number of inherited diseases in man have been recognized in which there is an impairment in the peroxisomal beta-oxidation of very-long-chain fatty acids. In general, these disorders are associated with severe neurological and physical abnormalities and death within the first years of life. In this paper we describe our experience with regard to the prenatal diagnosis of a number of different inborn errors of peroxisomal beta-oxidation. Eleven pregnancies at risk were monitored by measuring very-long-chain fatty acid levels as well as very-long-chain fatty acid beta-oxidation in cultured chorionic villous fibroblasts and/or amniotic fluid cells. Five affected fetuses were identified. It is concluded that prenatal diagnosis in this group of diseases can be done reliably using cultured chorionic villous fibroblasts or amniotic fluid cells.