title: Raised maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels and low birth weight babies.
abstract: In a retrospective study of low birth weight babies (less than 2.5 kg) born in one year it was found that statistically more maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were above twice the median level than a control group of mothers producing larger babies (more than 3 kg). However, from the results the test cannot be accepted as being a prospective indicator or as a screening test of low birth weight in pregnant women.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins