Enhanced Recovery after Fetal Sequencing: A Perinatal Genomic Scoping Review of Exome/Genome Testing for Reproductive/Obstetric-MFM Providers to Initiate Knowledge Translation following a Screening Ultrasound Identifying Fetal Anomalies.

Abstract

Background: This review of genomic perinatal opportunities and uses will provide counseling and personal genetic knowledge for improved patient care.

Summary: This focused systematic analysis and review has used PubMed keywords to identify genomic testing for ultrasound-identified fetal anomaly(ies) that require diagnostic testing after an informed consent process. Multiple fetal anomalies, using TRIO sequencing processes, have a better diagnostic yield, with certain cohorts >50%. For the single anatomic categories, skeletal system, central nervous system, and renal system, using WES fetal sequencing (most commonly) for a diagnostic result, have the larger incremental diagnostic yield over the chromosome micro-array.

Key messages: The phenotype-genotype (fetal-genomic result) consideration and use of the prenatal exome sequencing technology can be summarized using a SWOT analysis: strength (enhanced evaluation of fetal-neonatal genomic abnormalities not identified by standard chromosomal microarray and improved ethical care decisions); weakness (the understanding and complexity of genomic pathology and testing/the fiscal cost for professional time and the health system services); opportunity (an increased recognition of fetal genetic risk pathology [de novo or inherited carrier mutations] with improved understanding and knowledge translation of counseling for recurrence risk); threat (inability to provide a genetic diagnosis or interpret a variant of unknown significance or the discovery of incidental findings or unanticipated parental genomic diagnoses).