Autoimmune disorders but not heparin are associated with cell-free fetal DNA test failure

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested a possible association between heparin treatment at the time of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing and a non-reportable result. However, these studies lack of proper methodology and had a low level of proof to firmly incriminate heparin. Our objective was to investigate further the relationship between heparin treatment and cfDNA test results. METHODS: Two complementary approaches were used for the demonstration. First, we conducted a retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients with a singleton pregnancy, screened for aneuploidies by using cfDNA, but with a non-reportable cfDNA result. We included patients between 2013 and 2016 including the patients from the DEPOSA study as controls. CfDNA testing was performed by massive parallel sequencing by using a whole-genome approach. A multiple logistic regression was used to account for the influence of the variables included. Second, we performed in vitro experiments on mimic samples containing increased concentrations of heparin. RESULTS: Of 9867 singleton pregnancies tested during the inclusion period, 58 (0.59%) had a non-reportable result and were compared to 295 control patients. Fifteen (25.9%) and 20 (6.8%) patients were treated with heparin in the group with a non-reportable cfDNA result and with a successful assay, respectively. In multivariable analysis, an increased calculated risk at the first-trimester combined screening (OR 28.8 CI 9.76–85.15, p < 0.001), maternal weight (OR 1.03, CI 1.01–1.06, p = 0.01), and the presence of an autoimmune disease (OR 10.38, CI 1.62–66.53, p = 0.01) were the only characteristics associated with a non-reportable result. In vitro experiments showed that heparin had no impact on fetal fraction measurement or the final result, no matter what the dose tested. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment by heparin had no impact on cfDNA screening test for aneuploidies, while the presence of an autoimmune disorder is an independent predictor of a non-reportable result.