To explore the postulated association between maternal influenza and congenital defects of the central nervous system, 14 virologically verified epidemics in Finland, 1969-82, were studied. Mothers of 248 anencephalic children were grouped into those whose first trimester had occurred during an epidemic period and those whose pregnancy had commenced during ...

Chronic fetomaternal hemorrhage led to the development of fetal anemia and nonimmune hydrops fetalis in a term neonate. Antenatal maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were abnormally elevated, with normal amniotic fluid levels. Kleihauer-Betke staining was performed as part of the evaluation. Serial ultrasound examinations can be useful for unexplained elevations in ...

Genomic clones containing the exons coding for the bait domain of human pregnancy zone protein and alpha 2 macroglobulin were isolated and fragments containing the bait exons were sequenced. It is shown that the bait domains of both alpha 2 macroglobulin and pregnancy zone protein are encoded by two exons, ...

Tuboovarian implantation is a rare form of pregnancy that is difficult to diagnose in early gestation. A patient with a tuboovarian pregnancy presented with abnormally elevated initial screening maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP). The elevated MSAFP and a pelvic mass of uncertain etiology on ultrasonography delayed the diagnosis until laparotomy was ...

The value of determination of maternal serum of alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) concentration in the second trimester is well established. In addition to open neural tube defects, pregnancies associated with elevated second-trimester MSAFP have been shown to be at increased risk for a variety of problems, including low birth weight, preterm delivery, ...

The current status and development of biochemical analyses on amniotic fluid in prenatal diagnosis of congenital malformations is shortly summarized. Based on reports on heterogeneity in the carbohydrate content of alphafetoprotein (AFP) a method for electrophoretic separation of heterogeneous fractions of AFP was developed. In principle the method was first ...

Data on maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels at 13-24 weeks' gestation in 46 twin pregnancies with open neural tube defects (22 with anencephaly, 24 with open spina bifida) and 169 unaffected twins were used to estimate the detection and false-positive rates associated with different cut-off levels. Using the conventional cut-off ...

In the present study second-trimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were analyzed from 146 pregnancies associated with fetal open spina bifida to identify whether affected pregnancies from the black population were associated with higher maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels than their white counterparts. Pregnancies in black women not affected by open spina ...

We have previously demonstrated that pregnancy-associated endometrial alpha 2-globulin (alpha 2-PEG), the human glycosylated beta-lactoglobulin homologue (HG-BLG), is quantitatively the major secretory soluble protein product of the secretory endometrium during the latter half of the menstrual cycle and decidua spongiosa of the gestational endometrium during early pregnancy, and is principally ...

Low maternal serum AFP (MSAFP) values in the first trimester of pregnancy have been associated with an increased risk for chromosome disorders. In our own first trimester chorionic villus sampling (CVS) series, MSAFP determinations were carried out in 1,448 singleton pregnancies. Aneuploidies were detected in 26 of these. The pre-CVS ...

Twins concordant for elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and discordant for neural tube defect (NTD) and sex are reported. A literature review reveals instances of termination of twin pregnancies with one normal and one abnormal fetus, partly based on concordant high AFP and positive AChE (although discordant on ultrasound ...

Morphological analysis of the cervicothoracic ganglion of the 10 week old pig fetus was carried out. A description of the topographic location, shape and neural connections of the ganglion are described. Associated with these observations, the location of the fetus within the uterus and the sex of the fetus were ...

We examined the relation of multivitamin intake in general, and folic acid in particular, to the risk of neural tube defects in a cohort of 23,491 women undergoing maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening or amniocentesis around 16 weeks of gestation. Complete questionnaires and subsequent pregnancy outcome information was obtained in 22,776 ...

To evaluate the relationship of placental and amniotic fluid findings to elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MS-AFP) levels, we compared sonograms made between 18 and 24 weeks gestational age in 76 women with elevated MS-AFP levels with sonograms of a control group. Patients with fetal malformations, incorrect dates, twins, or lack ...

Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was measured at the time of presentation in 44 women with histologically proven ectopic pregnancy. Serum AFP levels were within the reference range in 32 women. Eleven women (25%) had AFP levels above the 90th centile of the normal range, including five women with a live ...

In this study we define for the first time the distribution of alpha-fetoprotein levels and acetylcholinesterase ratios in amniotic fluid samples associated with fetal gastroschisis. Elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels and positive acetylcholinesterase measurements are found in virtually all cases, indicating that these combined measurements are highly reliable in detecting this lesion.

Laboratory scale development of a two site micro enzyme linked immuno assay kit is described. The kit comprises rabbit anti human alphafetoprotein (AFP), anti human AFP IgG peroxidase conjugate and standard AFP. All the above reagents were prepared in the laboratory. The kit is eminently suitable for early screening of ...

In two cases of prenatally detected cystic hygroma with oligohydramnios, successful cytogenetic diagnosis of Turner syndrome was achieved using cells obtained from direct aspiration of the cystic hygroma. Exceptionally high levels of alpha-fetoprotein were found in the cystic hygroma fluid, as might be expected. However, the maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels ...

Among 93 acetylcholinesterase determinations performed on amniotic fluid samples from pregnancies at 11-14 weeks' gestation, five unexplained false-positive results were observed. In four of the five cases, the ratio of acetylcholinesterase to pseudocholinesterase was compatible with that observed in association with open neural tube defects in later gestation. In contrast, ...

Fetal triploidy is commonly found in early pregnancy. The majority of these pregnancies spontaneously abort in the first trimester. Occasionally, the pregnancy progresses to the second and third trimesters. We reviewed the maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP), amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), amniotic fluid acetylcholinesterase (ACHE), fetal pathology, and placental pathology in ...

To assess the relative efficacy of amniocentesis versus targeted (detailed) ultrasonography, 225 patients referred because of an elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein level (79.6%) or a family history of neural tube defect (20.4%) were evaluated. Ultrasonographic examination alone detected all 26 fetal abnormalities (11 cases of anencephaly, 10 cases of open ...

This study examined 141 pregnancies with acetylcholinesterase in the amniotic fluid to determine if an acetylcholinesterase/pseudocholinesterase ratio cutoff could be set to distinguish between neural tube defects, ventral wall defects, other fetal defects, and pregnancy problems. Amniotic fluid specimens with positive or faintly positive acetylcholinesterase bands were studied. They were ...

In a prospective study of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening for both high and low values, we assessed the overall predictive value, sensitivity, specificity and relative risks for congenital defects and complications of pregnancy. Among 13,486 women with singleton pregnancies interviewed at the time of screening (15 to 20 weeks of ...

Most maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening programs are set up with the goal of prenatal detection of fetal neural tube defects. It is also commonly accepted that MSAFP testing yields many false-positive results. Screening programs commonly utilize schemata that identify abnormal levels of MSAFP as greater than 2.5 multiples of ...

Five hundred sixty women among 35,787 screened had an initial maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) of 2.5 or more multiples of the median. They were divided into three groups: group 1, 2.5-2.9; group 2, 3.0-3.9; and group 3, over 4.0 multiples of the median. These groupings determined the relationship to adverse ...

The relationship between maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels, maternal age and Down syndrome risk factors were studied in the greater Birmingham and North Alabama areas. After adjustment for race and maternal weight, 3.84 percent of women in this study were determined to have Down syndrome risk factors equal to or ...

The limit of the classic diagnostic protocols following the evidence of high maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels is represented by the high number of amniocenteses performed and that, in the most part of cases, give false negative results. Now days the introduction of high resolution ecographic equipments allows to us, in ...

For several years the determination of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels has been utilized to screen the patients at increased risk for foetal neural tube defects. In this way, various problems have been more and more dealed, from the definition of "cut-off" levels which could be guarantee an acceptable rate ...

With the aim of evaluating the clinical value of raised maternal plasma alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in women with singleton fetuses without structural abnormalities, the outcome of pregnancy was evaluated in a group of 20 women with these characteristics. Only 6 women (30%) delivered fetuses with appropriate birthweight at term; there were ...

Alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase were assayed in 374 amniotic fluids from normal pregnancies, at 9-15 weeks of gestation. We have investigated the correlations with the gestational age and have established our cutoff levels for these biochemical markers. We also report the values, that we have obtained in two cases of neural ...

First-trimester prenatal diagnosis by DNA analysis was carried out for seven pregnancies at risk for homozygous alpha 0-thalassaemia. Transabdominal placental biopsy was carried out at 10-12 weeks' gestation. The presence of alpha-globin genes in the fetal DNA was determined by restriction endonuclease mapping and hybridization with cloned alpha-globin probe. Homozygous ...

A survey was carried out to determine the effect of prenatal screening and therapeutic abortion on births in 1985 with anencephaly and spina bifida in England and Wales. Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein tests were done on 399,288 women (60 per cent of pregnant women): 4 per cent were reported as being ...

The aim of this study is the evaluation of the reliability of vaginal fluid (VF) prolactin (PRL) for detecting prematurely ruptured membranes (PROM) and the comparison of this marker with vaginal fluid alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and placental lactogen (HPL). In 21 pregnant women with recent or prolonged PROM from 20 to ...

We have shown that alpha-fetoprotein levels in amniotic fluid peak at 13 weeks and then fall by about 10% a week until 20 weeks. Use of cutoff levels obtained by extrapolation backward from medians at later dates gives results that are too high and could cause diagnostic errors. The ability ...

The birth prevalence of neural tube defects (NTD) in the Yorkshire Region was determined for 1985 and 1986 by ascertainment of cases in live-and stillborn babies and of pregnancies terminated for NTD. Sixty-seven cases of anencephaly, 82 of spina bifida and 11 others were identified, a prevalence of 1.54 per ...

In the present study, a recently reported immunochemical technique for measuring acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in amniotic fluid utilizing the 4F19 antibody was compared with the widely utilized polyacrylamide gel technique to determine whether the immunochemical assay provided an advantage in separating unaffected pregnancies from those associated with open spina bifida (OSB) ...

Although variations in the incidence and types of central nervous system abnormalities have been demonstrated between early and late pregnancy, the reason for this finding has not yet been determined. Among 569 spontaneously aborted embryos, we describe 38 central nervous system lesions, many of which are different from those observed ...

A series of 4 separate studies were conducted to assess the incidence and short term consequence of bleeding associated with chorion villus sampling. Results support previous reports that risk of foetal-maternal transfusion as suggested by a rise in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) can occur. This occurrence is not consistent and ...

There is evidence for an excitatory influence in pregnant and parturient myometrium mediated by alpha 1-adrenoceptors. Despite this there are no reports of direct measurement of changes in the density of these receptors throughout pregnancy. Indirect evidence could suggest a fall early in gestation followed by a sharp rise near ...

Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were determined in 21 women with threatened miscarriage in whom an ultrasound diagnosis of anembryonic pregnancy was confirmed. Fourteen of the 21 patients had normal AFP levels; the remaining seven had levels above the 95th centile of the reference range. This is in contrast to ...

Maternal serum alphafetoprotein was assayed in 436 women presenting for termination of pregnancy at 6 to 12 weeks. The normal range for each week is presented. There was a progressive rise of AFP levels from week 7 onwards, but a clear separation from non-pregnant values was only apparent after 8 ...

Two patients referred for evaluation of very high maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (10-20 multiples of the median) were carrying triploid fetuses with placentas showing features of partial hydatidiform mole. The diagnosis of fetal triploidy should be considered when there is a very high maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein and no ultrasound evidence of ...

Persistence of elevated alphafetoprotein (AFP) levels and the presence of an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) band in amniotic fluid have been reported to occur up to 11 weeks following intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) of one twin (Bass et al., 1986). We now report a case where such prolongation of these findings was ...

In this second part, the authors report the results obtained by evaluating the presence of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the brain of rat fetuses with neural tube defects and hydrocephalus, secondary to the administration of trypan blue during pregnancy. A decrease in the GAG content was found. The authors hypothesize that ...

In 7 second trimester pregnancies ultrasound (US) demonstrated cystic hygroma colli (CHC); amniocentesis was performed in 6 patients. In the 7th patient, because of oligohydramnios, the fluid for karyotype was aspirated from the CHC. Five pregnancies had been referred secondary to abnormalities on US and 2 others because of low ...

Some recent reports have suggested that invasive testing is unnecessary when ultrasound either confirms or refutes a neural tube defect (NTD). However, counseling for recurrence risks and the possibilities for in utero therapy would be significantly altered by an aneuploid karyotype. We report our experience with 53 pregnancies affected by ...

We studied the association between multivitamin use during the periconceptional period and the occurrence of neural tube defects using data from the Atlanta Birth Defects Case-Control Study. There were 347 babies with neural tube defects who were live born or stillborn to residents of metropolitan Atlanta from 1968 through 1980. ...

The preliminary results are reported of the first eighteen months of a three year survey of NTD affected pregnancies in the North Western Region of England. The results are consistent with a general decline in the incidence of NTD. Prenatal screening has been available for 10 years but babies continue ...

Low maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein values during the second trimester of pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of Down syndrome in the fetus. In this study a sensitive, monoclonal-based radioimmunoassay for alpha-fetoprotein was used to determine whether such an association also applies to the first trimester and if maternal serum ...

Data relating to the outcome of pregnancy were gathered prospectively on patients with elevations of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) or with unusually low MSAFP levels (0.25 or fewer multiples of the median) unexplained by ultrasonography. Patients with unexplained MSAFP elevations (2.5 or more multiples of the median, amniotic fluid AFP ...