MATERNAL SERUM ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN IN FETAL ANAL ATRESIA AND OTHER GASTROINTESTINAL OBSTRUCTIONS

The fetal gastro-intestinal (GI) tract contributes to alpha-fetoprotei n (AFP) levels in amniotic fluid and hence to those in maternal serum (MS). This study retrospectively analysed results of second trimester MSAFP screening in cases of fetal GI tract obstruction. 18 cases of fe tal GI obstruction were diagnosed amongst 17 036 women who underwent M SAFP screening between 1979 and 1997: seven had oesophageal atresia, f our had duodenal atresia, six had anal atresia, and one had both anal and oesophageal atresia. MSAFP in pregnancies of a fetus with anal atr esia was significantly lower than the population median. MSAFP in case s of fetal oesophageal or duodenal atresia was low but these differenc es did not reach significance. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.