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Changes in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels associated with intrauterine genetic diagnostic procedures |
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| Authors: | Gary F Simpson Nian-Hu Sun Dr Mitchell S Golbus |
| Institution: | Departments of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, and of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Capital Hospital, Beijing, Peoples Republic of China |
| Abstract: | The amount of fetal—maternal transfusion during invasive intrauterine diagnostic instrumentation was determined by measuring the increase in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (Δ AFP) caused by the procedure. Fetal liver biopsy or fetoscopy for purposes other than blood sampling caused a mean Δ AFP of 11.4 ng/ml and 34.2 ng/ml, respectively. Fetoscopy with fetal blood sampling produced a mean Δ AFP of 211.8 ng/ml, while fetoscopy followed by placentesis caused a mean Δ AFP of 462.8 ng/ml (representing a 1.07 ml fetal—maternal transfusion). Although this magnitude of fetal—maternal transfusion is an acceptable risk for the fetus, it is a sufficient transfusion to cause blood cell antigen sensitization. |
| Keywords: | Alpha-fetoprotein Fetal—maternal transfusion Intrauterine manipulation Fetoscopy Fetal blood sampling |