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Persistence of fetal cells in the mother: friend or foe?
Author(s) -
Lissauer D,
Piper KP,
Moss PAH,
Kilby MD
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
bjog: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.157
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1471-0528
pISSN - 1470-0328
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01474.x
Subject(s) - fetus , persistence (discontinuity) , pregnancy , fetal circulation , immunology , biology , medicine , genetics , placenta , geotechnical engineering , engineering
There is increasing evidence that both circulating cells and free fetal DNA persist in the maternal circulation after delivery of the fetus. In some cases, this has been described many years after the end of the pregnancy. This article reviews the evidence for these cells being present, the potential methodologies used to identify such cells and the potential effects on maternal immunomodulation. Data relating to the potential beneficial and potentially harmful effects are discussed.