Ml. Brizot et al., FIRST-TRIMESTER MATERNAL SERUM ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN IN FETAL TRISOMIES, British journal of obstetrics and gynaecology, 102(1), 1995, pp. 31-34
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.