Maternal serum transformed alpha-fetoprotein levels in women with intrauterine growth retardation.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate maternal serum transformed alpha-fetoprotein (t-AFP) levels in women with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).


METHODS
60 pregnant women in two groups were studied: 30 with IUGR and 30 healthy pregnant women as a control group. t-AFP concentrations were determined by ELISA assay.


RESULTS
Maternal serum t-AFP levels were higher in women with IUGR than in the control group: 15.39 (10.81-24.01) ng/ml vs. 8.66 (6.22-13.45) ng/ml (p = 0.003). t-AFP levels were even higher in those with fetal hemodynamic redistribution 21.08 (16.02-40.85) ng/ml than in those without 12.15 (10.48-17.45) ng/ml (p = 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal serum t-AFP is increased in women with IUGR and this elevation is marked in those with fetal hemodynamic redistribution.
Bartha
Jose L
JL
Fetal Medicine Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Michael's Hospital, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK. joseluis.bartha@uca.es
Illanes
Sebastian
S
González-Bugatto
Fernando
F
Abdel-Fattah
Sherif A
SA
Mizejewski
Gerald J
GJ
Soothill
Peter W
PW
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D015854:Up-Regulation; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins