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Amniotic fluid alphafetoprotein measurements in the early prenatal diagnosis of central nervous system disorders
Author(s) -
Brock D. J. H.,
Scrimgeour I. B.,
Nelson M. M.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
clinical genetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.543
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1399-0004
pISSN - 0009-9163
DOI - 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1975.tb00313.x
Subject(s) - anencephaly , amniotic fluid , spina bifida , gestation , prenatal diagnosis , medicine , fetus , obstetrics , pregnancy , inborn error of metabolism , amniocentesis , neural tube defect , gynecology , endocrinology , biology , pediatrics , genetics
Amniotic fluid alphafetoprotein (AFP) has been measured in 520 pregnancies between 8 and 24 weeks of gestation. The normal range of values has been defined for fortnightly periods between these limits. Grossly elevated AFP concentrations were found in four pregnancies leading to spina bifida and nine pregnancies leading to anencephaly. Slightly elevated AFP concentrations were found in one twin pregnancy and two pregnancies affected by rhesus isoimmunisation. Normal AFP values were observed in 36 amniotic fluids from pregnancies where the outcome was rhesus isoimmunisation, an inborn error of metabolism, a cytogenetic disorder or a birth defect unrelated to the central nervous system. The reliability of amniotic fluid AFP in the early prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida and anencephaly and the possibility of performing assays on samples sent by post from any part of the world are emphasized.