No increase in free fetal DNA level in ectopic pregnancy: A preliminary study

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to diagnose ectopic pregnancy in the early period by measuring cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) levels in maternal blood using spectrophotometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with ectopic pregnancy and 30 patients with first trimester intrauterine pregnancy were enrolled in this prospective controlled study. cffDNA levels in maternal serum were measured using spectrophotometry. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of cffDNA absorbance levels. CONCLUSION: Spectrophotometry is not suitable for measuring cffDNA levels to diagnose ectopic pregnancies in the early period. Practical and cost-effective methods should be found or larger patient series should be investigated.