Cell-free fetal DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid of women during the peripartum period

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether cell-free fetal DNA is detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid of women during pregnancy and after delivery. Study design: Cerebrospinal fluid was collected from 39 women who underwent an indicated spinal anesthesia procedure. Twenty-six samples were from women who carried at least 1 male fetus, and 13 samples were from women with only a female fetus. DNA was analyzed with the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction for DYS-1 (which represented male fetal DNA) and β-globin (which represented maternal and fetal DNA). Results: β-Globin DNA was detected in all cerebrospinal samples. DYS-1 gene sequences were detected in 4 cerebrospinal fluid samples from women who had male fetuses (2 samples were from women who underwent cesarean delivery of singleton pregnancies, 1 sample was from a triplet pregnancy, and 1 sample was from a woman after delivery). No male DNA was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of women who carried female fetuses. Conclusion: Male fetal cells and/or cell-free fetal DNA is detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid of some pregnant women or some women after delivery.