title: Risk of anomalies as a function of level of elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hutzel Hospital/Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reichler
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Hume
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Drugan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bardicef
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Isada
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Evans
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins