Premium
Alphafoetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase in amniotic fluid as a factor suggesting fetal skin and nerve lesions in a case of congenital varicella syndrome
Author(s) -
Mirlesse Véronique,
Duguy Nathalie,
Cynober Evelyne,
François Magny Jean,
Daffos Fernand
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
prenatal diagnosis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.956
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1097-0223
pISSN - 0197-3851
DOI - 10.1002/pd.878
Subject(s) - amniotic fluid , medicine , fetus , in utero , pregnancy , obstetrics , rash , prenatal diagnosis , umbilical cord , pathology , dermatology , immunology , biology , genetics
Background Prenatal care of pregnant women exposed to varicella skin rash during the first half of pregnancy remains a frequent concern in countries that do not have access to systematic vaccination. The frequency of maternofetal transmission is low. Ultrasound is the usual tool for prenatal survey of exposed fetuses. But many anomalies due to VZV infection are not accessible to ultrasound alone. Case Report We review a case in which the diagnosis of fetal infection suspected due to transient fetal bowel hyperechogenicity was confirmed in amniotic fluid by molecular biology (PCR). Results An unusual elevation of alphafoetoprotein in maternal blood and in amniotic fluid was associated with inguinal skin, muscular and nerve destruction. Conclusion In fetuses diagnosed with in utero varicella infection, in addition to a precise diagnosis and follow‐up, we suggest that elevated AFP levels in maternal blood and amniotic fluid together with the presence of acetylcholinesterase in amniotic fluid may be related to lesion of fetal skin and nerves. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.