Mid-second trimester organic acids in severe open neural tube defects.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate amnioic fluid organic concentrations at 16 weeks gestation from normal fetuses and those affected by severe neural tube defects.


METHODS
Amniotic fluid collected from normal, anencephalic and severe open spina bifida fetuses was analysed for up to 24 organic acids by gas liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
Significant increase in organic acids similar to those observed in defects of phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism were identified when compared with the normal fetuses. Significant differences in organic acid concentrations were also identified within the two neural tube defect groups.


CONCLUSIONS
A relationship between phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism, closure rate of the neural tube and folate metabolism is proposed.
Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Legge
D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000757:Anencephaly / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006867:Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D010649:Phenylalanine / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000378:metabolism*; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000378:metabolism
D014443:Tyrosine; D010649:Phenylalanine; D006867:Hydrolases