Elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein and amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein after multifetal pregnancy reduction.
Forty patients underwent fetal reduction at approximately 12 weeks' gestation for multiple pregnancy. Twenty-two had maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) determinations and all but one was elevated, with a mean value of 9.41 multiples of the median (MOM). A total of 53 amniotic fluid specimens were evaluated for AFP; 25% were elevated above 2.0 MOM and one sample was positive for acetylcholinesterase. None of these elevations were associated with a neural tube defect, although two neural tube defects were detected by other means. Routine MSAFP is not recommended for patients with multifetal pregnancy reduction.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
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P
Grau
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Robinson
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Tabsh
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Crandall
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D011247:Pregnancy; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple / Q000097:blood*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D014463:Ultrasonography; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins