title: Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein values in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) values are reported to be lower in type 1 diabetic patients, and a correction factor is often applied. We sought to determine whether type 2 diabetic patients require the same MSAFP adjustments as type 1 diabetic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of MSAFP levels from a university laboratory in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients between July 2000 and August 2006, matched 1:2 with controls. Groups were compared using analysis of variance and Student t testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-seven type 1 and 75 type 2 diabetic patients were compared with 304 controls. Type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients differed significantly from each other and controls before corrections. Diabetic patients were similar to each other, but significantly lower than controls, after weight corrections. These differences were eliminated by a 10% correction factor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients require both weight and diabetes corrections to adjust MSAFP values to nondiabetic levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA. loralei_thornburg@urmc.rochester.edu
authors.forename: Loralei L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Thornburg
authors.forename: Kristin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: C Jeanne
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Karin B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: McCall
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mooney
authors.forename: Eva K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Pressman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008423:Maternal Age; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins