title: The potential of multivariate discriminant analysis in the antenatal detection of neural tube defects.
abstract: A method is described which improves the ability to distinguish between normal and neural tube-defective fetuses in utero. Early second trimester amniotic fluid is classified by stepwise discriminant analysis based upon biochemical analysis for alpha-fetoprotein and eight other easily assayed variables; classification is more reliable than using alpha-fetoprotein and gestational age alone.
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis; D000757:Anencephaly / Q000175:diagnosis; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D011188:Potassium / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D011336:Probability; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000175:diagnosis; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D010710:Phosphates; D011506:Proteins; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D012964:Sodium; D008274:Magnesium; D005947:Glucose; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium