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.
Grau
P
P
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California School of Medicine, Los Angeles.
Robinson
L
L
Tabsh
K
K
Crandall
B F
BF
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