FIRST-TRIMESTER MATERNAL SERUM ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN IN FETAL TRISOMIES

Objective To evaluate the potential value of maternal serum alpha-feto protein concentration in the detection of fetal trisomy at 10 to 13 we eks gestation and to examine the possible association between maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein and fetal nuchal translucency thickness. Desi gn Cross-sectional study. Setting Harris Birthright Research Centre fo r Fetal Medicine, King's College Hospital Medical School, London. Subj ects and methods Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration was me asured at 10 to 13 weeks gestation in samples from 57 pregnancies with fetal trisomies (trisomy 21 (n = 35), trisomy 18 (n = 16), and trisom y 13 (n = 6)) in 228 matched controls in whom the fetal nuchal translu cency was < 3 mm and in 114 chromosomally normal fetuses with transluc ency greater than or equal to 3 mm. Results In the control group mater nal serum alpha-fetoprotein increased significantly with fetal crown-r ump length (r = 0.451). In this group, the median maternal serum alpha -fetoprotein was not significantly different from that in the groups w ith trisomy 21 (median = 0.84 MoM), trisomy 18 (median = 0.86 MoM), or trisomy 13 (median = 0.94 MoM), respectively. Neither in the control group nor in the group with trisomic fetuses was maternal serum alpha- fetoprotein significantly associated with fetal nuchal translucency th ickness (r = 0.01 and r = 0.03). Conclusion Measurement of maternal se rum alpha-fetoprotein concentration in the first trimester of pregnanc y is not likely to be useful in the prediction of fetal trisomies.