title: Relation between maternal weight and serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration during the second trimester.
abstract: Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein concentrations are influenced by maternal weight during the second trimester. Heavier pregnant women have lower median values, apparently as a result of a diluting effect of larger blood volume. This phenomenon is of clinical interest because alpha-fetoprotein concentration in a pregnant woman's serum is one of the factors considered in assessing risk of poor outcome. A revision of the reference interval for alpha-fetoprotein to take body weight into account might improve its use as a diagnostic aid, especially in heavier women.
mesh_terms: D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins