2ND-TRIMESTER MATERNAL SERUM ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN, HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN, AND UNCONJUGATED ESTRIOL AFTER EARLY TRANSVAGINAL MULTIFETAL PREGNANCY REDUCTION

Citation
A. Groutz et al., 2ND-TRIMESTER MATERNAL SERUM ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN, HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN, AND UNCONJUGATED ESTRIOL AFTER EARLY TRANSVAGINAL MULTIFETAL PREGNANCY REDUCTION, Prenatal diagnosis, 16(8), 1996, pp. 723-727
Citations number
21
Categorie Soggetti
Obsetric & Gynecology
Journal title
ISSN journal
01973851
Volume
16
Issue
8
Year of publication
1996
Pages
723 - 727
Database
ISI
SICI code
0197-3851(1996)16:8<723:2MSAHC>2.0.ZU;2-S
Abstract
Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and unconjugated oestriol (UE(3)) are used as second-trimester screening markers for the detection of various fetal abnormalities. P revious studies have suggested that second-trimester MSAFP is consiste ntly elevated after late first-trimester transabdominal multifetal pre gnancy reduction (MFPR), The present study was undertaken to evaluate the levels of all three markers after early transvaginal MFPR, Materna l serum was examined for MSAFP; hCG, and UE(3) at 16-18 weeks' gestati on in 28 patients who underwent transvaginal MFPR at approximately 10 weeks' gestation. The mean interval between the reduction procedure an d the screening test was 7.2 +/- 0.9 weeks. The mean MSAFP value in 24 patients carrying viable twins was 2.49 +/- 0.99 multiples of the med ian (MOM), Two patients had elevated MSAFP values: one in association with omphalocoele and the other in relation to an adverse pregnancy ou tcome. All but two patients had normal hCG values (mean 1.98 +/- 1.26 MOM), Two cases with elevated hCG were associated with an adverse preg nancy outcome. Unconjugated oestriol values were within the normal ran ge in all patients (mean 1.69 +/- 0.61 MOM). These results suggest tha t early transvaginal MFPR, at approximately 10 weeks' gestation, does not appear to influence second-trimester MSAFP, hCG, and UE(3) levels. The values of these markers may therefore be interpreted by using the same criteria as those for the general obstetric population.