Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels in pregnancies among black and white women with fetal open spina bifida: a United States collaborative study

Article Abstract:

Spina bifida is a birth defect characterized by the abnormal development of the nerve tube. The defect prevents the bone structures housing the spinal cord from closing, leaving the nerves completely or partially exposed. A measurement of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the mother's blood can be used to screen for many types of fetal birth defects, particularly those caused by neural tube abnormalities. AFP level cutoffs are used to determine which fetuses are at risk for neural tube defects. Open spina bifida, where the spinal cord is exposed, is associated with high AFP in the mother's blood. However, higher AFP levels have been found in pregnant black women without fetal abnormalities. To see if the AFP levels differ between black and white pregnancies, 146 pregnancies associated with open spina bifida were evaluated. The duration of the pregnancy was calculated from the last menstrual period. Black pregnant women with pregnancies complicated by fetal spina bifida had higher maternal AFP levels then white women. Therefore, a correction for race must be included to insure an equally sensitive test for pregnant women at risk for fetal abnormalities. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Usage, Diagnosis, Health, Health and race, Ethnic groups, Prenatal diagnosis, Spina bifida

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Associations between adverse perinatal outcome and serially obtained second- and third-trimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein measurements

Article Abstract:

Elevated blood levels of alpha fetoprotein in the second trimester of pregnancy may indicate an increased risk of premature rupture of membranes and other complications. Researchers measured alpha fetoprotein in blood samples of 650 pregnant women taken during their second and third trimester and correlated this data with the incidence of complications at delivery. Overall, women with serum alpha fetoprotein levels more than twice the median were more than twice as likely to develop complications such as premature rupture of membranes or intrauterine growth retardation or to deliver premature or low birth weight babies. Women with elevated levels of alpha fetoprotein in their second trimester were more than 10 times likely to have these complications. The association between elevated alpha fetoprotein levels in the third trimester and these complications was not significant.

Risk factors, Premature rupture of membranes, Premature rupture of the membrane, Premature birth, Pregnancy, Complications of, Pregnancy complications

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Undetectable maternal serum unconjugated estriol levels in the second trimester: risk of perinatal complications associated with placental sulfatase deficiency

Article Abstract:

Undetectably low levels of unconjugated estriol in maternal blood in the second trimester of pregnancy may not be associated with greater risks of complications or death. Low levels of maternal estriol have been linked with placental sulfatase deficiency, a genetic disorder affecting the eyes of mostly male infants. Researchers measured unconjugated estriol levels in 130,295 pregnancies, and identified 167 patients with undetectably low levels. No reason could be found for the undetectably low estriol levels for 41 of these pregnancies. Routine screening for placental sulfatase deficiency may be so rare that it is not recommended.

Abnormalities, Fetus, Pregnancy, Estradiol

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening for fetal Down syndrome in the United States: results of a survey. Lack of an association between late fetal death and antiphospholipid antibody measurements in the second trimester
• Abstracts: Evaluation of the lemon and banana signs in one hundred thirty fetuses with spinal bifida. Prediction of fetal anemia by measurement of the mean blood velocity in the fetal aorta

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