[Immunoglobulin M and alpha 2-macroglobulin in the amniotic fluid in neural tube defects]

Alpha 1-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha 2-macroglobulin (AMG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) were estimated quantitatively in 16 amniotic fluid samples of gestational weeks 15 to 21. In 4 pregnancies there were defects of the neural canal (2 anencephalic fetuses, 2 fetuses with meningomyelocele). The other 12 amniotic fluid samples from normal pregnancies are used as control group. AFP, AMG and IgM concentrations were increased in the 4 pathologic samples. AFP was detected using Laurell-technique, AMG and IgM by single radial immunodiffusion.