title: [Maternal serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and prenatal diagnosis of the fetal alcohol syndrome].
abstract: In order to investigate prospectively the relationship between maternal serum levels of a biologic marker of alcohol and the outcome of pregnancy, we measured serum gamma-glutamyltransferase in 541 women between 14 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. An abnormally elevated value was observed in 6.8% of the cases but only 16.2% of these suspected alcohol abusers admitted drinking practices during pregnancy. Analysis of obstetrical issue and blind examination of the newborns showed a significant correlation between raised gamma-glutamyltransferase levels and an increased incidence of pre-/perinatal complications, congenital anomalies and intrauterine growth retardation. However, the sensitivity of this test is weak, limiting its use in the early recognition and prevention of fetal alcohol effects.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Halpérin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Assimacopoulos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lacourt
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Béguin
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Ferrier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis; D001034:Apgar Score; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D063647:Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase
vernacular_title: Gamma-glutamyltransférase sérique maternelle et dépistage prénatal du syndrome de l'alcoolisme foetal.