title: Elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein, umbilical vein varix, and mesenchymal dysplasia: are they related?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Variceal dilatation of the umbilical vein is a rare vascular anomaly of the umbilical cord. We present a patient case where dilatation of the umbilical vein was associated with an elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein on prenatal testing and mesenchymal dysplasia on pathological evaluation of the placenta.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alterations in the villous structure of the placenta as in mesenchymal dysplasia may lead to increased placental permeability causing an elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein on antenatal testing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abnormal testing should be an indication for close evaluation of the placenta and placental structures, as well as the fetus.
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee College of Medicine-Chattanooga Unit Department of OB/GYN, Chattanooga, TN 37403, USA. amulchdrsmiley@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Amanda D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Mulch
authors.forename: Shawn P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Stallings
authors.forename: Carolyn M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Salafia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000473:pathology; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000473:pathology*; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins