Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening: the need to use race/ethnic specific medians in Asians.
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.
O'Brien
J E
JE
MetPath Inc., Teterboro, NJ.
Drugan
A
A
Chervenak
F A
FA
Johnson
M P
MP
Isada
N B
NB
Hallak
M
M
Evans
M I
MI
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
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins