title: [Electrophoresis of cholinesterases of the amniotic fluid in the prenatal diagnosis of closure defects of the neural tube].
abstract: The value of acetylcholinesterases (AChE) qualitative analysis as a tool for the diagnosis of fetal neural tube defect has been investigated in a series of 2,815 amniotic fluid samples. This test successfully identified all the 84 cases of open neural tube defects, 16 of which had been missed by ultra-sonography. AChE electrophoresis made it possible to exclude one false positive ultrasound diagnosis of neural tube defect, and to differentiate meningocele from myelomeningocele. Our experience suggests that AChE electrophoresis should be carried out in place of amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein estimations, in all cases of fetal abnormality detected by ultrasound scanning especially in fetal hydrocephaly, and in all pregnant women with an history of a previous pregnancy with a neural tube defect.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biochimie, Hôpital Ambroise-Paré, Boulogne.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dulard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boue
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Muller
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boue
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000032:analysis*; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000201:enzymology*; D004586:Electrophoresis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase
vernacular_title: L'électrophorèse des cholinestérases du liquide amniotique dans le diagnostic prénatal des défauts de fermeture du tube neural.