Korean J Perinatol.  1997 Mar;8(1):43-54.

The Association of Abnormal Maternal Serum Alpha-fetoprotein with Adverse Pregnancy Outcome

• Kim JY
• Roh CR
• Kim JW
• Yang SH
• Park CS
• Choi DS
• Chung JH
• Yoon BK
• Bae DS
• Lee JH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To determine whether elevated or low levels of maternal serum alpha- fetoprotein(AFP) measured at 15-20 weeks of gestation predict increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome, including preterm birth(before 36 weeks of gestation), fetal growth retardation(FGR), preeclampsia, placental abruption, FDIU, placenta previa and fetal anomaly. METHOD: Data of pregnancy outcomes in singleton pregnancies with elevated or low maternal serum AFP levels measured at 15-20 weeks of gestation were gathered retrospectively. As a part I study, case-control study including 106 women with maternal serum AFP) 2.0 MOM(Multiples of median) and matched control group of 212 women with 0.5 MOMCONCLUSION
Pregnant women with elevated maternal serum AFP over 2.0 MOM are associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, especially FGR. Thoughtful and appropriate counselling strategies including high resolution sonography are needed so that prospective mothers can be informed about potential clinical problems associated with elevated maternal serum AFP level.

Keyword

Meternal serum alpha-fetoprotein; Adverse pregnancy outcome

MeSH Terms

Abruptio Placentae
alpha-Fetoproteins*
Case-Control Studies
Female
Fetal Development
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Mothers
Placenta Previa
Pre-Eclampsia
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome*
Pregnancy*
Pregnant Women
Retrospective Studies
alpha-Fetoproteins