Risk of anomalies as a function of level of elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein.
OBJECTIVE
Most neural tube defects risks are not actual but mathematical extrapolations. We sought to evaluate this risk and to compare actual performance.


METHODS
This was a retrospective study of a referral population with elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein results between 1987 and 1992. Ultrasonography results, delivery records, and autopsy results were compared with entry levels of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein, and the percentage of fetal anomalies detected in this study was evaluated.


RESULTS
A total of 773 patients with elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were evaluated. There was a progressive increase in the incidence of anomalies as a direct function of the level of the maternal serum AFP, varying from 3.4% at a level of 2.5 to 40.3% at a level > 7.0.


CONCLUSIONS
Data from this study support the correlation of maternal serum AFP levels with the risk of neural tube defect and ventral wall defects.
Reichler
A
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hutzel Hospital/Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201.
Hume
R F
RF
Drugan
A
A
Bardicef
M
M
Isada
N B
NB
Johnson
M P
MP
Evans
M I
MI
D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000453:epidemiology; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins