This refers to a collection of reagents and tools specifically designed for enumerating fetal cells present within a maternal blood sample. These kits typically employ techniques such as flow cytometry or immunofluorescence to identify and quantify fetal cells based on specific cellular markers. For example, a particular kit might use antibodies that bind selectively to antigens expressed on fetal red blood cells to distinguish them from maternal cells.
The importance of such resources lies in their utility for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). They can assist in assessing the risk of certain fetal aneuploidies or genetic conditions by analyzing the number and characteristics of fetal cells circulating in the mother’s bloodstream. Historically, analyzing fetal cells required invasive procedures like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. The advent of these kits, however, offers a less invasive approach, reducing the risk to both mother and fetus while providing valuable diagnostic information.
