Whole Exome Sequencing and Whole Genome Sequencing for Non-immune Fetal/Neonatal Hydrops

Sponsor

Thomas Jefferson University (Other)

Overall Status

Recruiting

CT.gov ID

NCT03911531

Collaborator

(none)

Enrollment

Location

46.5

Anticipated Duration (Months)

1.2

Patients Per Site Per Month

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

Brief Summary: Non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) is a potentially fatal condition characterized by abnormal fluid accumulation in two or more fetal compartments. Numerous etiologies may lead to NIHF, and the underlying cause often remains unclear (1). The current standard of genetic diagnostic testing includes a fetal karyotype and chromosomal microarray (CMA), with an option to pursue single gene testing on amniocytes collected by amniocentesis (2). A large subgroup of the NIHF causes includes single gene disorders that are not diagnosed with the standard genetic workup for hydrops. Currently, nearly 1 in 5 cases of NIHF is defined as idiopathic, meaning there is no identified etiology (2). The investigators believe this is because the causes of NIHF are not completely investigated, specifically single gene disorders. Our research study aims to increase the diagnostic yield by performing whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) on prenatal and neonatal NIHF cases when standard genetic testing is negative, identifying known and new genes, thus providing vital information to families regarding the specific diagnosis and risk to future pregnancies. The investigators plan to perform WES as the initial diagnostic test. If WES is negative, then the investigators will proceed to perform WGS.

Condition or Disease	Intervention/Treatment	Phase
Non-immune Fetal Hydrops Non-Immune Hydrops in Neonate Genetic Disorders	Diagnostic Test: Whole Exome Sequencing Diagnostic Test: Whole Genome Sequencing

Detailed Description

This is a prospective cohort study design for fetuses or neonates affected with NIHF. Mother-father-fetus trios of pregnancies complicated by idiopathic non-immune fetal hydrops will be identified. These patients will be counseled by a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist as would be the routine. As part of the routine work-up, amniocentesis will be recommended for karyotype, CMA and an infectious work-up. Amniocentesis will be performed by the Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist of the referring institution. The patient will also be offered genetic counseling (routine). Subjects will be offered enrollment when inclusion criteria are met. After enrollment, the following samples will be collected: (1) maternal blood (2) paternal blood, (3) fetal DNA isolated from amniocytes (4) neonatal blood when referral is done postnatally. The WES results will be reported to the genetic counselor dedicated to the study. The parents will be contacted by the genetic counselor and counseled on the findings whether they were positive or negative. The result will also be communicated to the patient's primary MFM provider or pediatrician and appropriate referrals to pediatric genetics specialists will be made by the primary provider. In cases where no genetic disorder is identified, the sample will be stored and then subsequently whole genome sequencing will be performed.

Study Design

Study Type:

Observational

Anticipated Enrollment :

55 participants

Observational Model:

Cohort

Time Perspective:

Prospective

Official Title:

Whole Exome Sequencing and Whole Genome Sequencing for Non-immune Fetal/Neonatal Hydrops

Actual Study Start Date :

Jan 15, 2019

Anticipated Primary Completion Date :

Jun 30, 2022

Anticipated Study Completion Date :

Dec 1, 2022

Arms and Interventions

Arm	Intervention/Treatment
Fetuses DNA obtained from amniotic fluid samples	Diagnostic Test: Whole Exome Sequencing Whole exome sequencing (WES) provides more detailed information through greater resolution, identifying single base-pair changes and small insertions and deletions. WES performs sequencing on the protein-coding exons, which are contained in 1-2% of the genome but make up over 85% of all known pathogenic mutations. Diagnostic Test: Whole Genome Sequencing Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) has emerged in recent years as a diagnostic tool that sequences the entire genome and can pick up insertions or deletion of bases, structural variants and intronic single nucleotide variations.
Neonates DNA obtained from neonatal blood samples	Diagnostic Test: Whole Exome Sequencing Whole exome sequencing (WES) provides more detailed information through greater resolution, identifying single base-pair changes and small insertions and deletions. WES performs sequencing on the protein-coding exons, which are contained in 1-2% of the genome but make up over 85% of all known pathogenic mutations. Diagnostic Test: Whole Genome Sequencing Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) has emerged in recent years as a diagnostic tool that sequences the entire genome and can pick up insertions or deletion of bases, structural variants and intronic single nucleotide variations.

Arm

Intervention/Treatment

Fetuses

DNA obtained from amniotic fluid samples

Diagnostic Test: Whole Exome Sequencing

Whole exome sequencing (WES) provides more detailed information through greater resolution, identifying single base-pair changes and small insertions and deletions. WES performs sequencing on the protein-coding exons, which are contained in 1-2% of the genome but make up over 85% of all known pathogenic mutations.

Diagnostic Test: Whole Genome Sequencing

Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) has emerged in recent years as a diagnostic tool that sequences the entire genome and can pick up insertions or deletion of bases, structural variants and intronic single nucleotide variations.

Neonates

DNA obtained from neonatal blood samples

Diagnostic Test: Whole Exome Sequencing

Diagnostic Test: Whole Genome Sequencing

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

Identify known single gene disorders that would not be detected by microarray as a cause of non-immune fetal hydrops by performing whole exome sequencing (WES) [3 years]
Identify novel genetic disorders associated with non-immune hydrops [3 years]

Secondary Outcome Measures

Evaluate the incremental value of whole genome sequencing (WGS) in the evaluation of fetal hydrops when WES is negative [3 years]
Better counsel the parents about the etiology of hydrops especially if they desire a subsequent pregnancy [3 years]

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years to 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

The following inclusion criteria will apply:

Fetal hydrops identified anytime in pregnancy after the first trimester
Parents are planning to proceed with amniocentesis as a routine workup for hydrops.
Both parents are available for blood sample collection
Normal CMA and normal karyotype if performed
Negative workup for Parvovirus B19, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, and syphilis
Negative fetomaternal hemorrhage workup as a cause for hydrops For cases of neonatal hydrops, the criteria for invasive prenatal testing will not be required as a postnatal blood sample from the hydropic infant will be the source of proband DNA.