Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels and fetal outcome in early second-trimester oligohydramnios.
Early second-trimester oligohydramnios was associated with normal maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels in nine out of 26 cases (35 per cent). Congenital malformations of the fetal urinary tract resulting in fetal anuria were present in nine cases; in seven of them, normal MSAFP levels were measured. In contrast, normal MSAFP levels were established in only 2 out of the 17 cases without fetal malformations. These data suggest that fetal urine is the major source of elevated AFP in the maternal compartment in early second-trimester oligohydramnios. This is further supported by the lack of any relationship between concentrations of MSAFP non-reactive with Concanavalin A, originating mainly from the yolk sac-derived amniotic fluid AFP pool, and the presence of fetal diuresis. Three out of 26 women had experienced early second-trimester oligohydramnios in a previous pregnancy, suggesting the existence of a recurrence risk for this condition.
Los
F J
FJ
Department of Clinical Genetics, University Hospital Dijkzigt, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Hagenaars
A M
AM
Marrink
J
J
Cohen-Overbeek
T E
TE
Gaillard
J L
JL
Brandenburg
H
H
D003208:Concanavalin A; D004231:Diuresis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008954:Models, Biological; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D003208:Concanavalin A