Is elevated maternal serum α-fetoprotein a prognostic indicator in pregnancy associated with systemic lupus erythematosus?

Summary

Maternal serum α-fetoprotein is more commonly elevated (> 2 multiples of the median) in pregnancy associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (35 per cent compared with 5 per cent for a general obstetric population, P < 001). An elevated α-fetoprotein level is, in this series, a predictor of fetal loss, pregnancy induced hypertension and premature delivery (before 34 weeks) in the lupus patient.