QF-PCR: application, overview and review of the literature

Quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction has been in diagnostic use in the UK for over 10 years and has proved to be a cost-effective, robust and accurate rapid prenatal test for common aneuploidies. Specific advantages include detection of triploidy, mosaicism and maternal cell contamination. Its application at our centre is described, with developments including stand-alone testing and improvements in strategies for the preparation and testing of chorionic villus biopsies. (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.