Antenatal screening for congenital nephrosis in Finland by maternal serum α-fetoprotein

  1. M. RYYNÄNEN1,
  2. M. SEPPÄLÄ2,
  3. P. KUUSELA3,
  4. J. RAPOLA4,
  5. P. AULA2,
  6. A. SEPPÄ5,
  7. V. JOKELA6,
  8. O. CASTREN1

Article first published online: 23 AUG 2005

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1983.tb08940.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 90, Issue 5, pages 437–442, May 1983

Additional Information

How to Cite

RYYNÄNEN, M., SEPPÄLÄ, M., KUUSELA, P., RAPOLA, J., AULA, P., SEPPÄ, A., JOKELA, V. and CASTREN, O. (1983), Antenatal screening for congenital nephrosis in Finland by maternal serum α-fetoprotein. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 90: 437–442. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1983.tb08940.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Central Hospitals of Kuopio

  2. 2

    Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Central Hospitals of Helsinki

  3. 3

    Department of Sero-Bacteriology, University of Helsinki

  4. 4

    Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki

  5. 5

    Department of Pathology, University Central Hospital of Kuopio

  6. 6

    Department of Computer Services, University of Kuopio, Finland

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 23 AUG 2005
  2. Article first published online: 23 AUG 2005
  3. Received 18 May 1982 A ccepted 25 November 1982

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Summary. In the Kuopio and North-Karelia districts of Finland 10 724 pregnancies were screened for congenital nephrosis by maternal serum AL-fetoprotein (AFP) measurement. Outcome was known for 10 504 (98%) pregnancies, of which 509 (4.8%) had a serum AFP level ≤ 2.5 multiples of the normal median (MoM) at 15–18 weeks gestation. After exclusion of those women who had a normal serum AFP level (< 2.5 MoM) in a second sample,‘wrong dates’or multiple pregnancy, 267 (2.5%) remained with a high serum AFP level. Amniocentesis was carried out in 225 (2.1%) and 16 women had an amniotic fluid AFP level > 10 SD above the normal mean. In this group there were six fetuses with congenital nephrosis (four confirmed and two suspected), six other serious malformations (including an intrauterine death) and four without obvious abnormality. In the 98% pregnancies followed up there were no infants with congenital nephrosis that had been missed. Babies with congenital nephrosis require permanent hospitalization and have a mean survival of 8 months. In Finland, within certain areas, the birth prevalence is as high as 1 in 2600 per year. In such areas maternal serum AFP measurement appears to be a useful method of screening for congenital nephrosis. The service was also well accepted since 94% of the women with raised serum AFP levels wished to be screened again in a future pregnancy.

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