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Association of undetectable unconjugated estriol on multiple marker screening with steroid sulfatase deficiency
Shama D Jari1, Luanne M Fraer, W Allen Hogge
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213, USA.
Objective:
To determine whether all patients with undetectable unconjugated estriol (uE3) on multiple marker screening (MMS) are carriers for steroid sulfatase (STS) deficiency.
Methods:
This is a retrospective review of 65 pregnancies with undetectable uE3 on MMS.
Results:
Of the 65 pregnancies, there were 21 that continued, 40 spontaneous losses, 2 lost to follow-up and 2 elective terminations. Of the 21 continuing pregnancies, 15 were determined to be carriers of the STS deletion. Twenty-seven of the 40 pregnancy losses were associated with elevated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP); about half of the losses were shown to have occurred prior to sampling.
Conclusion:
Patients with undetectable uE3 are likely to be carriers of the STS deletion, except those with associated elevated AFP. Elevated AFP with undetectable uE3 on MMS is a marker of preexisting or impending fetal demise.
