MSAFP LEVELS IN ABORIGINAL CANADIAN WOMEN

Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels in 529 non-diabetic ab original Canadian women were compared with levels in 13,285 non-diabet ic non-aboriginal women. A woman was considered to be aboriginal if sh e was listed on the Indian Register of Canada. After controlling for t he gestational age on the date at which the sample was drawn and mater nal weight, MSAFP levels appeared to be approximately 4 to 5% higher i n aboriginal women. The possible implications of this finding on an MS AFP screening program are discussed.