LOW MSAFP LEVELS AND WILLIAMS-SYNDROME

Williams syndrome (WS) is associated with a deletion of the elastin ge ne in over 90% of cases, We report maternal serum alpha fetoprotein (M SAFP) levels in 5 women whose fetuses were later diagnosed as having W S. MSAFP levels ranged from 0.5-0.8 multiples of the median (MOM). Alt hough further confirmation is necessary, it appears that MSAFP levels are lower than the median in WS, This apparent association has implica tions for counselling women following maternal serum screening. (C) 19 97 Wiley-Liss, Inc.