[Genetic diagnosis and non-invasive prenatal testing of a fetus with Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome].

Objective To explore the genetic basis for a fetus featuring growth restriction and validate the effectiveness of a novel noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) technique for the detection of chromosomal microdeletions. Methods Next-generation sequencing (NGS) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to analyze the DNA of the fetus. Conventional G-banding was used to analyze the karyotypes of the fetus and its parents. High throughput sequencing was used to analyze free fetal DNA. Results NGS analysis has revealed a 4.88 Mb deletion at 15q11.2-q13.1 region in the fetus, which has a 99% overlap with the critical region of Prader-Willi syndrome (Type 2) and Angelman syndrome (Type 2) and encompassed critical genes including SNRPN and UBE3A. NIPT also revealed a 4.6 Mb deletion at 15q12, which was consistent with the results of fetal cord blood and amniotic DNA testing. FISH assay has confirmed the result of NGS. By karyotying, all subjects showed a normal karyotypes at a level of 320-400 bands. Conclusion It is quite necessary to carry out genetic testing on the case of fetal growth restriction. Noninvasive prenatal testing for fetal chromosomal microdeletions/micro-duplication syndrome is highly accurate in diagnosing Prader-Willi /Angelman syndrome. Key words: Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome; Next-generation sequencing technology; Non-invasive prenatal testing