The application of fluorescence in-situ hybridization to prenatal diagnosis

The use of fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) in prenatal diagnosis has not been without controversy. Criticism has arisen because FISH fails to identify all chromosome aberrations, requires additional labor and expense, may lead to misdiagnosis because of maternal cell contamination, and according to established guidelines, cannot be the basis for final decisions concerning pregnancy status [l]. This review of the literature of the past, year indicates that despite these potential problems, FISH is rapidly becoming an integral part of prenatal diagnostic programs. Moreover, recently developed technologies based on the principles of FISH make possible the identification of unresolved gene and chromosome mutations in human embryos and fetuses, as well as determining their clinical significance.