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Am J Perinatol 2025; 42(01): 006-013
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1789573
SMFM Fellowship Series Article

The Effect of Self-Reported Race on Noninvasive Prenatal Screening Test Characteristics

Anjali N. Mitra 
1   Division of Maternal–Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
,
Aleksei Dingel
2   School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
,
Teodora Kolarova
1   Division of Maternal–Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
,
Hayley J. MacKinnon
1   Division of Maternal–Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
,
Ronit Katz
3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
,
Christina M. Lockwood
4   Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
,
Raj Shree
1   Division of Maternal–Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
› Author Affiliations Funding UL1 TR002319, KL2 TR002317, and TL1 TR002318 NCATS/NIH (Institute of Translational Health Science), K08HL150169 NIH/NHLBI (R.S.). None of the above-listed funders were involved in the conduct of the research, preparation of this article, study design, collection, analysis, or interpretation of results. Additionally, they were not involved in the writing of the report or in the decision to submit the article for publication.
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Abstract

Objective Low fetal fraction (FF) on cell-free DNA (cfDNA)-based noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) is a common etiology for indeterminate results. As maternal Black race is implicated as a risk factor for low FF and more indeterminate results, we sought to evaluate this association.

Study Design This was a single-institution, retrospective cohort study of cfDNA-based NIPS performed between May 2017 and May 2022 with complete clinical data abstraction. We compared FF, indeterminate rates, and total cfDNA concentration among self-reported Black, White, and Other groups from NIPS results from 2017 to 2022 with full clinical data abstraction. Using linear regression and interaction testing, we evaluated associations between self-reported race, FF, indeterminate rate, and total cfDNA concentration.

Results In total, 1,591 participants met the inclusion criteria; 70.8% (n = 1,126) self-identified as White, 6.9% (n = 110) as Black, and 22.3% (n = 355) self-identified with another race. Mean FF was not different between the White, Black, or Other groups (11.8 vs. 11.2 vs. 11.7%, respectively, p = 0.52). This remained true after adjusting for body mass index (BMI), gestational age (GA) at draw, and fetal sex (all p > 0.17). Interaction testing for FF and total cfDNA by race with BMI, GA at draw, and fetal sex demonstrated no effect modification.

Conclusion In our population, maternal self-identified race, particularly Black race, does not affect FF. Biological plausibility for race-based differences on clinical tests requires ongoing thoughtful consideration.

Key Points

  • NIPS is widely used to screen for fetal aneuploidy.

  • FF is an important test metric, and low FF is associated with adverse outcomes, like aneuploidy.

  • In existing studies, Black race is implicated as a risk factor for lower FF.

  • Our study found no differences in FF between groups by self-reported race.

  • Biological plausibility for race-based differences on clinical tests requires ongoing consideration.

Keywords

aneuploidy screening - cell-free DNA - noninvasive prenatal screening - race


Publication History

Received: 14 November 2023

Accepted: 07 August 2024

Article published online:
29 August 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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