Psychological reactions experienced by pregnant women with an elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein level

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Abstract
Repeated semistructured interviews with 66 singleton-pregnant women disclosed that when they were notified that they had an elevated serum AFP level, 47 per cent reacted with panic, 35 per cent with reasonable concern, and 18 per cent with denial. Three days later, these proportions had changed to 14, 21, and 65 per cent, respectively. On the latter occasion an interviewer judged that 74 per cent of the women were severely or considerably anxious about fetal malformations. Twenty-five women who required extended investigation did not experience more strain during this period than women for whom one control serum assay sufficed. After completion of the total investigation 56 of the women did not regret that they had undergone the serum AFP test. The present findings show that being informed about abnormal serum AFP test results induces immediate and severe though temporary emotional distress that can be alleviated by adequate medical information and reasonable psychological support.