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Life without amniocentesis: elevated maternal serum α‐fetoprotein in the Manitoba program 1986–91
Author(s) -
Kyle P. M.,
Harman C. R.,
Evans J. A.,
MacDonald K.,
Menticoglou S. M.,
Manning F. A.,
Chodirker B. N.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.1994.04030199.x
Subject(s) - medicine , amniocentesis , obstetrics , neural tube defect , ultrasound , amniotic fluid , neural tube , alpha fetoprotein , fetus , pregnancy , population , second trimester , gynecology , prenatal diagnosis , radiology , embryo , genetics , environmental health , hepatocellular carcinoma , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Pregnant women demonstrating an elevated maternal serum α‐fetoprotein level are at increased risk for fetal neural tube defect or other anomaly. Diagnostic procedures to evaluate these pregnancies include high‐resolution ultrasound and amniocentesis to measure amniotic fluid levels of α‐fetoprotein and N ‐acetylcholinesterase. We wished to examine the efficacy of detailed ultrasound examination alone, in evaluation of women with ‘unexplained’ elevation of maternal serum α‐fetoprotein. The results showed that no neural tube defects were missed in the assessment of 1325 pregnancies with a raised level of maternal serum α‐fetoprotein over 6 years, despite complete reliance on ultrasound in 98%. Detailed fetal ultrasound evaluation by experienced personnel is adequate to identify all cases of neural tube defects in a selected high‐risk population. Copyright © 1994 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology