Circulating fetal DNA in maternal plasma can be used for both fetal genetic testing and evaluation of complications of pregnancy. As a prenatal genetic test, the greatest advantage of using circulating fetal DNA is the lack of risk. This approach has been applied to the diagnosis of fetal gender, fetal Rhesus D (RhD) blood type, and fetal single-gene disorders. However, it only allows examination of disorders where the gene of interest is present in the fetal genome but absent from maternal

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... Since most fetal DNA probably originates from villous trophoblasts, concentrations can be used to evaluate damage to trophoblasts, particularly in pathologic complications of pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia, invasive placenta, hyperemesis gravidarum, and trisomy 21. Fetal DNA in the plasma of pregnant women thus offers a new source of data that can be used in various clinical settings. [Taiwanese J Obstet Gynecol 2005;44(2):116-122]