title: Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening: the need to use race/ethnic specific medians in Asians.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We questioned whether race-specific databases for maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening should be added to those already available for African-American and white patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed 138,272 MSAFP samples. The geographic origin of the samples was New York metropolitan area. Patients were classified as white, African-American, Hispanic or Asian. The usual adjustments were made and groups compared. Statistical analysis included ANOVA and multiple comparison test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MSAFP values are highest (p < 0.05) for Asians, followed by African-Americans, Hispanics, and whites, although the difference between Hispanic and white was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Four separate databases are definable if specimen quantity is sufficient. Race/ethnic specific databases are more likely to yield the most accurate detection of abnormal MSAFP values, and therefore, fetal anomalies.
authors.affiliation: MetPath Inc., Teterboro, NJ.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drugan
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Chervenak
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Isada
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallak
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: D001213:Asian; D044383:Black People; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D009519:New York City; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D044469:Racial Groups; D012016:Reference Values; D044465:White People; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D001741:Black or African American
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins