Association between unaccountably high maternal alpha feto-protein and increased fetal risk

Abstract

An unaccountably high maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level at 16–18 weeks of pregnancy is associated with increased risk to the fetus in a continuing pregnancy. Thirty-one pregnancies with confirmed high levels at 16–18 weeks produced 10 preterm live and 8 liveborn small-for-dates babies and 3 early neonatal deaths. Although the incidence of neural tube defects is decreasing, routine assay of maternal serum AFP at 16–18 weeks should be continued to give possible warning of extra risk to the fetus.

Key Words:

• High Alpha feto-protein
• increased fetal risk