title: Protein measurements in the early prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida.
abstract: Measurement of beta-lipoprotein concentration in amniotic fluid is introduced as a new parameter for the early prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida. It was successful in 15 cases of spinal bifida, but failed in 5 cases of open spina bifida and 2 cases of closed spina bifida. All assays were performed before the end of the second trimester and most between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. beta-lipoprotein was compared with alpha-fetoprotein and alpha2-macroglobulin in its effectiveness in diagnosing spina bifida at an early enough date to allow a termination of pregnancy.
mesh_terms: D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins