Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica

doi: 10.3109/00016348409156963pmid: N/A

Schnittger, Agneta; Kjessler, Berndt

doi: 10.3109/00016348409156964pmid: N/A

Abstract. In 1979—1980 a multicenter study on serum alpha‐fetoprotein (S‐AFP) screening for detection of fetal neural‐tube and abdominal wall defects (NTD/AWD) was carried out in seven different regions in Sweden. A total of 22991 pregnant women, attending 84 public antenatal clinics, were offered an AFP test between their 15th and 18th completed gestational weeks. The average participation rate was 80.8%. The AFP assays were performed by five hospital laboratories, using the same commercially available assay method. In 19704 women screened, all with known pregnancy outcome, 17/22 fetuses affected by open NTD and 6/8 fetuses having AWD, gave S‐AFP levels exceeding 2 MOM. One placental haemangioma was recognized. Controlsampling was undertaken in 10.5% of the women. Amniocentesis was performed in 1.1% of all women screened with no false negative test results. However, three apparently normal fetuses were aborted at the parents request due to AFP levels in amniotic fluid exceeding 3 MoM.

Schnittger, Agneta

doi: 10.3109/00016348409156965pmid: N/A

Abstract. Alpha‐fetoprotein screening in large scale use implies certain practical consequences in obstetric practice as e.g. performance of a number of control assays in maternal serum (MS‐AFP), amniocentesis and ultrasonic examinations. Considerable regional differences were observed in the incidences of control assays (5.0‐10.5 per cent) and amniocenteses (0.2‐1.9) per cent when a “uniform” AFP‐screening program was run in seven scattered hospital regions in Sweden. The AFP assays were routinely performed by five hospital laboratories using the same commercially available assay method (Phadebas AFP PRIST). A total of 18030 singleton pregnant women were analyzed in their 15th to 17th gestational week.

Schnittger, Agneta; Kjessler, Berndt

doi: 10.3109/00016348409156966pmid: N/A

Abstract. The efficiency of a general AFP‐screening program is considerably affected by the action limit used for recommended diagnostic follow‐up procedures.

Schnittger, Agneta; Selbing, Anders

doi: 10.3109/00016348409156967pmid: N/A

Abstract. The consequences of erroneous gestational dating on the efficiency of a maternal serum alpha‐fetoprotein (MS‐AFP) screening program has been studied in 1050 early pregnant women. The gestational age of each woman was independently estimated by means of menstrual dates as well as by ultrasonic measurements of the fetal crown‐rump length before the 15th week of gestation.