Introduction: Increased fetal DNA in maternal plasma has been reported in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. Fetal DNA may by liberated from fetal or placental cells during apoptosis. The aim of the study is the estimation of the correlation between clinical and biochemical characteristics of preeclampsia and the concentration of fetal DNA in maternal circulation.
Material and methods: Peripherial blood samples were obtained from women suffering from preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women between 20 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. For analysis of DNA isolated from maternal plasma real time PCR were performed.
Conclusions: 1. Significant increase of fetal DNA concentration in preeclamptic women plasma is associated with severe course of preeclampsia and especially with fetal distress symptoms. 2. The evaluation of number of fetal DNA copies in pregnant women plasma is characterized by high sensitivity but low specificity of this test in regards to preeclampsia with complications such as HELLP syndrome and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).