title: Sonography as a procedure complementary to alpha-fetoprotein testing for neural tube defects.
abstract: Forty-four fetuses were studied sonographically because of an elevated amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein level noted during routine amniocentesis, questionable findings during an ultrasound examination at another institution, or a history of a neural tube defect in prior pregnancy. Eleven neural tube defects, 16 non-neural tube defect anomalies, and 17 normal fetuses were all correctly identified by sonography. Ultrasound answers the need for a second diagnostic tool to complement the alpha-fetoprotein measurement.
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis; D000757:Anencephaly / Q000175:diagnosis; D004677:Encephalocele / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000175:diagnosis; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins