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Persistence of fetal cells in the mother: friend or foe?

  1. D Lissauer,
  2. KP Piper,
  3. PAH Moss,
  4. MD Kilby*

Article first published online: 17 OCT 2007

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01474.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 114, Issue 11, pages 1321–1325, November 2007

Additional Information

How to Cite

Lissauer, D., Piper, K., Moss, P. and Kilby, M. (2007), Persistence of fetal cells in the mother: friend or foe?. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 114: 1321–1325. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01474.x

Author Information

  1. a Fetal Medicine Centre, Division of Reproduction and Child Health, Birmingham Women’s Hospital and b CRUK Institute for Cancer Studies, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

*Prof MD Kilby, Fetal Medicine Centre, Division of Reproduction and Child Health, Birmingham Women’s Hospital, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TG, UK. Email m.d.kilby@bham.ac.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 17 OCT 2007
  2. Article first published online: 17 OCT 2007
  3. Accepted 19 June 2007.

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Keywords:

  • Cell;
  • fetus;
  • immunology

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.

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