Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) and fetal growth

Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) is in pregnancies whose early mid-trimester MSAFP known to be elevated in fetal open neural tube values were greater than twice the median; these defects (NTD) [5, 7, 21, 24]. It is used as an early infants were appropriate but not small for gestascreening method for this condition when meastional age. ured between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation and is None of the reported studies has examined the likelytobecomearoutinepartofprenatalcare.lt overall relationship, if any between early midis also elevated in multiple pregnancies [23], fetal trimester MSAFP and neonatal birth weight and demise [18], threatened abortion [22] and other gestational age. The purpose of this study is to fetal abnormalities, such as omphalocele, fetal determine if such relationships exist and whether bowel obstruction [6], congenital nephrotic synor not they may be useful in detecting risk for drome [17], trisomy 13 with cystic hygroma and altered growth or preterm delivery. TURNER'S syndrome [13]. In the non-pregnant state, serum AFP is elevated in primary hepatoma [1], embryonal cell carcinoma of the ovary [12], ataxia telangectasia and hepatitis [19]. Elevated mid-trimester alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) .. . . , Λ ,, , . , * \ „ v ,, } 1 Matenals and methods in women carrying single, anatomically and karyotypically normal fetuses has been found to precede Venous blood was obtained from patients referred the birth of low birthweight infants. BROCK et al. for genetic counseling prior to clinically indicated [4], found that the proportion of low birthweight amniocentesis between 15 and 20 weeks gestation infants less than 2.5 kg was significantly increased in the period between January 1980 and Decemwhen early mid-trimester MSAFP was greater than ber 1982. Informed consents were obtained from 2.3 (x median value). WALD et al. [25], demonall patients. Complete data including MSAFP strated that pregnancies with early mid-trimester values, neonatal birthweight, and estimated gestaMSAFP greater than or equal to 3 (x median tional age at birth were available in 116 pregvalue), resulted in the birth of infants weighing on nancies. Indications for genetic counseling are the average 357 gms less than the controls. Also, included in Tab. I. One hundred and ten karyothe gestational age at the time of birth was 8 days typically and anatomically singleton pregnancy less than the controls. SMITH [20] on the other outcomes were evaluated; six cases were excluded hand, found that a statistically significant increase because of fetal demise (3 cases), trisomy 21 in the number of infants weighing less than 2.5 kg (1 case), trisomy X (1 case), twins (1 case).