PRENATAL DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS IN ELEVATED ALPHA-FETO-PROTEIN CONCENTRATION IN THE AMNIOTIC-FLUID

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 185  (5) , 299-304
Abstract
Elevated .alpha.-fetoprotein (AFP) values in the amniotic fluid are most frequently associated with neural occlusive disturbances or, in rare cases, with other external fetal malformations. Two patients in whom the elevated AFP was due to fetal malformations are reported. In the 1st case, the cause was identified as fetal proteinuria, probably in the sense of an autosomal-recessive hereditary congenital nephrosis; in the 2nd case the phenomenon was possibly due to a fetal distress syndrome. Attention is drawn to the importance of elevated AFP levels. The possibilities of further prenatal differential diagnosis are discussed, such as ultrasound, determination of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and assessment of amniotic fluid cells.