Amniotic fluid test for the diagnosis of neural tube defects

Alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase were assayed in 374 amniotic fluids from normal pregnancies, at 9-15 weeks of gestation. We have investigated the correlations with the gestational age and have established our cutoff levels for these biochemical markers. We also report the values, that we have obtained in two cases of neural tube defects (NTD) and in several chromosomal aberrations. For early prenatal diagnosis of NTD, we wide to point out the importance of the contemporary determination of the two analytes and of the ultrasonographic investigation and biometry.