Unexplained, elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein suggesting blunt abdominal trauma in pregnancy. A case report.
BACKGROUND
Physical findings of abdominal trauma in pregnancy are often minimal or absent in spite of the poor outcome.


METHODS
A healthy, 28-year-old, Caucasian woman, gravida 3, para 2, underwent amniocentesis due to unexplained elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein. The fluid was dark brown, evidence of an old intrauterine hemorrhage. Two weeks prior to blood sampling the patient experienced blunt abdominal trauma. In the emergency room no abnormal signs were found on physical examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Abdominal trauma in pregnancy should be suspected in the case of elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein and dark brown amniotic fluid.
Romem
Ayal
A
Women's Health Center, Health Services, Clalit-Negev District, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel.
Romem
Yitzhak
Y
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins