title: First-trimester amniotic fluid and extraembryonic coelomic fluid acetylcholinesterase electrophoresis.
abstract: Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) gel electrophoresis was performed on samples of amniotic fluid and extraembryonic coelomic fluid obtained by high resolution transvaginal ultrasound-guided amniocentesis from 38 women between 8 and 12 weeks of pregnancy. AChE was positive in 33 per cent (12/36) of the amniotic fluid samples; the percentage of positive results decreased as gestation advanced. AChE was positive in 32 per cent (9/28) of the extraembryonic coelomic fluid samples. In 81 per cent (21/26) of matched samples, the AChE results were identical in the two fluids. Amniotic fluid and extraembryonic coelomic fluid AChE electrophoresis cannot be used to diagnose neural tube defects prior to 12 weeks of gestation.
authors.affiliation: Combined Academic Departments of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Physiology, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, U.K.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cass
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wathen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wald
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000032:analysis*; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000201:enzymology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005110:Extracellular Space / Q000737:chemistry; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First
chemical_list: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase