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Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels between 13 and 24 weeks' gestation
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Changgeng Yi Xue Za Zhi
|December 1, 1994
Summary
Establishing normal maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) median values is crucial for accurate fetal disorder screening. This study determined reference data from 5256 pregnancies, finding MSAFP levels increase with gestation.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Prenatal Diagnostics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screening is a vital tool for detecting fetal abnormalities.
- Laboratories require established, local reference data for accurate MSAFP screening interpretation.
- Normal median values are essential for reliable multiple of the median (MoM) calculations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a normal maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein median value specific to the laboratory.
- To provide reference data for accurate interpretation of MSAFP screening results.
- To analyze the distribution of MSAFP levels in uncomplicated singleton pregnancies.
Main Methods:
- Collected 5256 MSAFP samples from uncomplicated singleton pregnancies.
- Gestation ranged from 13 to 24 weeks.
- Analyzed MSAFP levels to determine median values and MoM distributions.
Main Results:
- MSAFP median levels demonstrated a consistent rise with advancing gestation (average 16% per week).
- 0.17% of pregnancies had MSAFP < 0.25 MoM; 4.4% had MSAFP < 0.5 MoM.
- 4.22% of pregnancies had MSAFP > 2.0 MoM; 1.66% had MSAFP > 2.5 MoM.
Conclusions:
- Establishing a well-defined normal median value is critical for accurate MSAFP screening.
- The observed increase in MSAFP with gestation necessitates gestational age-specific reference ranges.
- Accurate interpretation relies on robust local reference data for reliable fetal disorder detection.