Increased amnionic fluid alpha-fetoprotein due to a holoacardium amorphous twin.
Amnionic fluid alpha-fetoprotein measurement was employed as a screening test for neural tube defects in a pregnancy only at risk due to advanced maternal age. The alpha-fetoprotein concentration was elevated more than 10 standard deviations above the mean and was found to be caused by a holoacardium amorphous twin. A normal female fetus was also present. Various causes of elevated alpha-fetoprotein concentration in amnionic fluid are discussed.
D009008:Abnormalities, Severe Teratoid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D018566:Pregnancy, High-Risk; D014427:Twins; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins