AMNIOTIC FLUID LEVELS OF FIBRIN(OGEN) DEGRADATION FRAGMENT E AND ALPHA–FETOPROTEIN IN NORMAL PREGNANCY AND WITH FETAL NEURAL TUBE DEFECT

  1. Y. B. Gordon,
  2. S. M. Ratky,
  3. P. C. Leighton,
  4. M. J. Kitau,
  5. T. Chard

Article first published online: 23 AUG 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1976.tb00742.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 83, Issue 10, pages 771–774, October 1976

Additional Information

How to Cite

Gordon, Y. B., Ratky, S. M., Leighton, P. C., Kitau, M. J. and Chard, T. (1976), AMNIOTIC FLUID LEVELS OF FIBRIN(OGEN) DEGRADATION FRAGMENT E AND ALPHA–FETOPROTEIN IN NORMAL PREGNANCY AND WITH FETAL NEURAL TUBE DEFECT. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 83: 771–774. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1976.tb00742.x

Author Information

  1. Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproductive Physiology St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, and The London Hospital Medical College, London

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 23 AUG 2005
  2. Article first published online: 23 AUG 2005

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Summary

Amniotic fluid levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and fibrin(ogen) degradation fragment E (FgE) were measured in 214 normal subjects and 27 pregnancies associated with an abnormal fetus (open neural tube defect or exomphalos). AFP levels showed no overlap between the normal and abnormal groups, thus confirming the reliability of the AFP assay in the detection of these abnormalities. FgE levels however showed considerable overlap and could not be used as a diagnostic parameter. Agarose gel chromatography of the amniotic fluid revealed the presence of large molecular weight FgE related antigen in open neural tube defect suggesting that leakage of proteins from exposed capillaries is responsible for the elevation of amniotic fluid protein levels.

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