Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41388734›Full record

ArticlePrenatal diagnosis2026

Uncovering the Genetic Landscape of Spinal Dysraphism: A Retrospective Analysis of 150 Fetal Cases.

I Bedei, A Feresin, R Zemet, D Berner, D Polidori, K Fröbius, A Skakkebæk, R Axt-Fliedner, M Shoukier, C Keil

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Prenatal diagnosis, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

10 authors.

I BedeiDepartment of Prenatal Medicine and Fetal Therapy, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-7688-5357
A FeresinIndependent Researcher, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-4187-6282
R ZemetDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.ORCID 0000-0002-7746-3594
D BernerEurofins Humangenetik und Pränatal-Medizin MVZ GmbH, Munich, Germany.
D PolidoriDepartment of Prenatal Medicine and Fetal Therapy, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
K FröbiusDepartment of Human Genetics, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
A SkakkebækDepartment of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.ORCID 0000-0001-9178-4901
R Axt-FliednerDepartment of Prenatal Medicine and Fetal Therapy, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.
M ShoukierEurofins Humangenetik und Pränatal-Medizin MVZ GmbH, Munich, Germany.
C KeilDepartment of Prenatal Medicine and Fetal Therapy, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany.ORCID 0000-0002-1455-1319

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveSpinal dysraphism (SD) results from incomplete neural tube closure and encompasses a heterogeneous group of congenital anomalies with genetic and environmental etiologies. Although genetic contributions are recognized, causative variants remain insufficiently defined, and the clinical implications of extended genetic testing on parental decision-making are not well characterized. This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of extended genetic testing, including exome sequencing (ES), in fetuses with prenatally diagnosed SD and its influence on clinical management.

methodsWe retrospectively analyzed 150 pregnancies with a prenatal diagnosis of SD referred to our center between July 2021 and May 2025. All cases underwent detailed phenotyping, genetic counseling, and were offered extended genetic testing, including karyotyping, chromosomal microarray (CMA), and trio-based ES.

resultsGenetic testing, including karyotyping (110/110), CMA (61, 55.5%), and ES (66, 60.0%), was performed in 110 fetuses. Genetic anomalies were detected in 19 fetuses (17.3%). ES revealed or confirmed 16 pathogenic, likely pathogenic, or uncertain variants in 14/66 (21.21%) fetuses, including one with three distinct variants. Notably, twelve of these fetuses would not have been identified without ES. Although no definitive causative molecular variants were detected, ES results influenced the parental decision to terminate the pregnancy in four cases.

conclusionES increases diagnostic yield in SD and may influence prenatal decision-making.

Indexed as

Prenatal DiagnosisSpinal DysraphismAdultExome SequencingFemaleGenetic CounselingGenetic TestingHumansKaryotypingPregnancyRetrospective Studieschromosomal microarray (CMA)fetal surgerymyelomeningocelemyeloschisisneural tube defectspina bifidaspinal dysraphism (SD)trio exome sequencing (ES)

Identifiers

PMID41388734
PMCPMC13170066

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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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.