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Genetic Screening and the Obese Gravida.
1Intermountain Healthcare, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology
|December 17, 2015
Summary
Obesity complicates prenatal screening for fetal malformations, increasing risks despite unchanged aneuploidy rates. Screening and diagnostic testing options remain crucial for obese pregnant individuals.
Area of Science:
- Maternal-fetal medicine
- Prenatal diagnostics
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Obesity in pregnancy presents unique challenges for prenatal screening.
- While fetal aneuploidy risk is not increased, obesity is linked to higher rates of significant birth defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current genetic screening options for obese pregnant individuals.
- To discuss the limitations of various screening methods in the context of obesity.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on prenatal screening in obese gravidas.
- Analysis of the efficacy of ultrasound, serum analyte, and cell-free DNA screening.
Main Results:
- Obesity diminishes the effectiveness of all standard prenatal screening methods.
- Increased risk for fetal malformations in obese pregnancies is a key concern.
Conclusions:
- Despite screening compromises, prenatal screening and diagnostic testing should be offered to obese women.
- Accurate fetal assessment remains a priority, necessitating careful consideration of limitations.
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