title: Hereditary persistence of alpha-fetoprotein: a rare cause for unexplained alpha-fetoprotein elevations in pregnancy.
abstract: Markedly elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels were found in a 26 year old healthy, nulliparous Polish woman during pregnancy. No fetal abnormalities were identified on targeted ultrasound and amniocentesis revealed normal amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) values. Maternal ultrasound screening for liver and ovarian germ cell malignancies were also negative. The mother delivered a live, healthy female at term and a repeat maternal serum AFP postpartum remained markedly elevated, suggestive of hereditary persistence of alpha-fetoprotein.
authors: Section of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital-Yale New Haven Health, Bridgeport, USA.
authors: Kara
authors: K
authors: Rood
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Stiller
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins