Table 1.
The type of cell-free nucleic acids molecules with present and possible prenatal diagnostic application
| Full name | Abbreviation | Size | Function | Prenatal application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genomic DNA | gDNA | 166 - >10,000 bp | unknown | trisomy, mutation, deletion, microdeletion |
| Mitochondrial DNA | mtDNA | 20-100 bp; <1 – 21 kbp |
unknown | preterm prelabour rupture |
| Messenger RNA | mRNA | varies | coding | not used |
| MicroRNA | miRNA | 18-25 bp | regulation | preeclampsia, congenital heart diseases, gestational diabetes |
| Circular RNA | circRNA | varies | regulation | congenital heart diseases, gestational diabetes |
| Long non-coding RNA | lncRNA | over 200 bp | regulation | congenital heart diseases |