INCREASED AMNIOTIC-FLUID ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN IN PATIENTS WITH FETAL NUCHAL EDEMA

The alpha-fetoprotein concentration in the amniotic fluid of 51 fetuse s with isolated nuchal edema and normal karyotypes was compared to tha t of the next 51 patients of comparable gestational age with normal ul trasounds and karyotypes. The mean a-fetoprotein in amniotic fluid was 1.26 +/- 0.45 in the nuchal edema group and 1.01 +/- 0.3 in controls (t = 3.287, p 0.002). Acetylcholinesterase evaluation was indicated by abnormally elevated a-fetoprotein in 4% of amniotic fluid samples fro m the study group and none of the controls. We concluded that alpha-fe toprotein is higher in amniotic fluid from pregnancies with isolated f etal nuchal edema and normal karyotype. Possible leakage of protein fr om enlarged cervical lymphatics associated with fetal nuchal edema may explain these findings.