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MSAFP levels and oesophageal atresia
B N Chodirker1, A E Chudley, K M MacDonald
1Department of Human Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
Prenatal Diagnosis
|November 1, 1994
Summary
Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels were evaluated for their association with oesophageal atresia (OA). Elevated MSAFP levels were observed in fetuses with OA, but the low sensitivity makes MSAFP an unsuitable screening test.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Medicine
- Medical Diagnostics
- Congenital Anomalies
Background:
- Oesophageal atresia (OA) is a congenital condition requiring early diagnosis.
- Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) is a biomarker used in prenatal screening.
- The utility of MSAFP in detecting OA requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the relationship between maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) levels and the incidence of oesophageal atresia (OA).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of MSAFP test results from pregnancies with confirmed cases of OA.
- Comparison of MSAFP levels (expressed as multiples of the median, MOM) in cases versus controls.
- Calculation of sensitivity for OA detection using a defined MSAFP MOM cut-off.
Main Results:
- Sixteen cases of OA were identified with available MSAFP data.
- The average MSAFP MOM in OA cases was significantly higher (1.54 +/- 0.65) than in controls, with a median of 1.35.
- A 2.5 MOM cut-off yielded a sensitivity of only 19% for detecting OA.
Conclusions:
- Elevated MSAFP levels may be associated with oesophageal atresia.
- However, MSAFP demonstrates low sensitivity for OA detection.
- MSAFP is not recommended as a primary screening test for oesophageal atresia due to its limited diagnostic performance.