Non-invasive prenatal screening for Emanuel syndrome

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to validate the results of two Emanuel syndromes detected by non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) screening using invasive methods, providing clinical performance of NIPS on chromosome microduplication detection. METHODS: NIPS was performed to diagnose the Emanuel syndrome. Amniocentesis or cordocentesis was performed to confirm the positive screening result of Emanuel syndrome cases. Fetal sample was detected by karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP Array). Parental karyotyping and FISH were also carried out. RESULTS: Two cases with chromosomal abnormalities of 11q23.3q25 and 22q11.1q11.21 were found by NIPS. Chromosomal karyotyping showed that the two fetuses each have a small supernumerary marker chromosome (sSMC), SNP Array further demonstrated double duplications approximately 18 Mb in 11q23.3q25 and 3 Mb in 22q11.1q11.21. FISH confirmed that the small supernumerary marker chromosome (sSMC) was ish der(22)t(11;22) (TUPLE1+, ARSA-). Ultrasound scan and MRI showed some structure malformations in two fetuses. The two mothers were found to be a balanced carrier: 46,XX, t(11;22)(q23.3;q11.2). CONCLUSION: NIPS could effectively identify Emanuel syndrome, which may indicate risks of a parent being a balanced rearrangement carrier. The followed confirmation test for positive sample is necessary and ensures the accuracy of the diagnosis.