Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in maternal serum in relation to pregnancy outcome in 7 158 pregnant women prospectively investigated during their 14th-20th week post last menstrual period.

Abstract

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels in maternal serum in relation to pregnancy outcome in 7158 pregnant women were investigated during their 14th-20th week post last menstrual period. Raised AFP levels in maternal serum were found in pregnancies with a normal single fetus of correctly or underestimated gestational age in multiple pregnancies in pregnancies ending in fetal wastage and in pregnancies with fetuses affected with neural tube defects (NTDs) or other congenital developmental defects excluding NTDs. 2.7% of all normal singleton pregnancies with a correctly estimated gestational length had values exceeding the upper limits while 97.1% were within normal limits and .2% revealed decreased levels. 73.5% of the multiple pregnancies revealed raised AFP levels while only 26.5% had normal levels. 36.2% which resulted in fetal wastage had raised AFP levels while 2.1% had normal levels and 61.7% had decreased levels. 71.4% of those with NTDs had raised levels and 28.6% had normal levels. 13.1% of those with NTDs had raised levels and 28.6% had normal levels. 13.1% of those with other congenital developmental defects had raised levels while 80.6% had normal levels and 6.3% had decreased levels. The finding of normal levels of AFP in maternal serum generally seems to indicate that no further clinical action is warranted on the basis of this test system.