Utility of chromosomal microarray in anomalous fetuses

The objective of this study was to determine the association of copy number variants (CNV) with perinatal outcomes among fetuses with sonographic abnormalities.

This was a retrospective cohort study of anomalous fetuses evaluated at a single fetal center, who underwent chromosomal microarray (CMA) testing. Pathogenic CNV or variants of uncertain significance were classified as abnormal. The primary outcome of perinatal death was compared among fetuses with normal vs abnormal CMA. Secondary outcomes included preterm birth, small for gestational age birth weight, and death prior to discharge. The odds ratio (OR) of perinatal death was determined, adjusting for potential confounders.

Of 280 fetuses, 60 (21.4%) had abnormal CMA results-21 (35.0%) were classified as pathogenic, 39 (65.0%) were variants of uncertain significance. Among 212 (75.7%) continuing pregnancies, abnormal CMA was not associated with increased odds of perinatal death (adjusted OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.34-1.93), after adjustment for the presence of hydrops and specific anomalies. The overall frequency of perinatal death was 21.2%. No differences in secondary outcomes were observed.

Abnormal CMA was not associated with increased odds of perinatal death in this cohort. Fetal CNV are common among fetal center patients; such fetuses are at high risk of perinatal death irrespective of CMA results.