Elevated Serum AFP Levels Research Articles

Psychological reactions experienced by pregnant women with an elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein level

Repeated semistructured interviews with 66 singleton-pregnant women disclosed that when they were notified that they had an elevated serum AFP level, 47 per cent reacted with panic, 35 per cent with reasonable concern, and 18 per cent with denial. Three days later, these proportions had changed to 14, 21, and 65 per cent, respectively. On the latter occasion an interviewer judged that 74 per cent of the women were severely or considerably anxious about fetal malformations.Twenty-five women who required extended investigation did not experience more strain during this period than women for whom one control serum assay sufficed. After completion of the total investigation 56 of the women did not regret that they had undergone the serum AFP test.The present findings show that being informed about abnormal serum AFP test results induces immediate and severe though temporary emotional distress that can be alleviated by adequate medical information and reasonable psychological support.

Progress in Screening for Neural Tube Defects

To the Editor.— Screening of an unselected pregnant population for neural tube defects using maternal serum αfetoprotein (AFP) represents an important step toward the prenatal diagnosis of a majority of these serious congenital anomalies. This concepthas been alluded to by Macri et al (236:1251, 1976). The first such screening program in the United States has been initiated at the Nassau County Medical Center in October 1976. Normal maternal serum AFP values have now been established in more than 2,500 pregnancies. 1 To date, 1,337 nonrisk pregnancies have been screened. The Table represents a summary of findings subsequent to the initial screening observation of two elevated serum AFP levels between the 15th and 20th weeks of gestation. Report of Cases.—Case 1.— Maternal serum was initially obtained during the 18th week of gestation from an 18-year-old primagravida with no history of birth defects. This sample contained 522 ng/ml

Alpha-fetoprotein and liver cell proliferation in rats fed choline-deficient diet.

Liver 3H-thymidine labelling index and serum AFP were determined in rats fed a standard laboratory or choline deficient diet. A significant increase in the rate of liver cell proliferation was evidenced in animals on the deficient diet. Furthermore, elevated serum AFP levels were detected in a proportion of these rats. It is suggested that increased synthesis of AFP corresponds to liver cell regeneration secondary to hepatic damage.