Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40533246›Full record

ArticlePrenatal diagnosis2025

Diurnal Effects on the Fraction of Fetal Cell-Free DNA in Maternal Plasma.

Alexander Gamisch, Julia Hess, Maria-Elisabeth Mustafa-Korninger

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Prenatal diagnosis, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Observational
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Alexander GamischMedilab Dr. Mustafa, Dr. Richter Labor für Medizinisch-chemische und Mikrobiologische Diagnostik GmbH, Molekularbiologie, Salzburg, Austria.ORCID 0000-0002-9698-4344
Julia HessMedilab Dr. Mustafa, Dr. Richter Labor für Medizinisch-chemische und Mikrobiologische Diagnostik GmbH, Molekularbiologie, Salzburg, Austria.
Maria-Elisabeth Mustafa-KorningerMedilab Dr. Mustafa, Dr. Richter Labor für Medizinisch-chemische und Mikrobiologische Diagnostik GmbH, Molekularbiologie, Salzburg, Austria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThe discovery of fetal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has revolutionized prenatal diagnostics through non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which depends on accurately measuring the fetal fraction (FF) in maternal plasma. While FF is known to be influenced by maternal and fetal factors, the impact of intraday rhythms remains unclear. This study investigated whether FF varies based on blood draw timing.

methodsData from 2519 euploid singleton pregnancies undergoing NIPT were analyzed. Key variables included maternal age, BMI, gestational age, fetal sex, and blood draw timing (06:50-21:00). FF was measured using the Harmony Prenatal IVD Test. Multiple linear regression identified independent predictors of FF, while intraday variation was assessed using Mann-Whitney U tests and boxplots.

resultsFF showed a significant positive relationship with blood draw timing (β = 0.00176 per hour, p < 0.005), with afternoon values approximately 10% higher than morning values (∼0.01 difference). Other predictors included BMI (negative), gestational age (positive), and fetal sex (higher in females). Blood draw timing appeared to be a stronger predictor of FF than gestational age or fetal sex, second only to BMI.

conclusionThis novel finding demonstrates diurnal variation in FF, suggesting that optimizing blood draw timing could improve NIPT accuracy, particularly in borderline cases. Further research is needed to confirm the clinical implications.

Indexed as

Cell-Free Nucleic AcidsCircadian RhythmNoninvasive Prenatal TestingAdultFemaleFetusGestational AgeHumansMalePregnancyPrenatal DiagnosisCell-Free Nucleic Acids

Identifiers

PMID40533246
PMCPMC12254438

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.