[Diagnostic value of amniotic fluid alkaline ribonuclease activity in anencephaly and IUGR]

Amniotic fluid and maternal serum alkaline ribonuclease (RNase) activities were measured in women with normal pregnancy, fetus, neural tube defect, and fetal intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Amniotic fluid alkaline RNase activity was high in anencephaly and IUGR. The mechanism of these changes and the clinical application of these findings are discussed.