ScholarLens Back to search
1977•PEDIATRICSRequires access

Prenatal detection of neural tube defects: False positive and negative results

Aubrey Milunsky

Open publisher page 7 citations

Abstract

An estimated 6,000 to 8,000 babies with neural tube defects (NTDs) are born each year in the United States. The suffering of both child and family has been well documented.1-3 Prenatal detection early in the second trimester of pregnancy became possible in 1972 when elevated α-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations in amniotic fluid in association with open NTDs were demonstrated in Edinburgh.4 These results have been amply confirmed.5-10 The AFP test is best used and most reliable between 14 to 16 weeks of gestation.8 With such prenatal diagnosis, termination of the abnormal pregnancy can be offered to the family. AFP is synthesized by the yolk sac and fetal liver and normally passes from the fetal serum into fetal urine and then into the amniotic fluid.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

An estimated 6,000 to 8,000 babies with neural tube defects (NTDs) are born each year in the United States. The suffering of both child and family has been well documented.1-3 Prenatal detection early in the second trimester of pregnancy became possible in 1972 when elevated α-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations in amniotic fluid in association with open NTDs were demonstrated in Edinburgh.4 These results have been amply confirmed.5-10 The AFP test is best used and most reliable between 14 to 16 weeks of gestation.8 With such prenatal diagnosis, termination of the abnormal pregnancy can be offered to the family. AFP is synthesized by the yolk sac and fetal liver and normally passes from the fetal serum into fetal urine and then into the amniotic fluid.

Why it matters

OpenAlex reports 7 citations for this work. Citation counts describe recorded attention and do not establish research quality.

Key contribution

A contribution statement is not available in the OpenAlex record.

Method / approach

Method details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Main findings

Findings are not separately available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Limitations

Limitations are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Applications

Application details are not available in the OpenAlex metadata.

Available abstract

An estimated 6,000 to 8,000 babies with neural tube defects (NTDs) are born each year in the United States. The suffering of both child and family has been well documented.1-3 Prenatal detection early in the second trimester of pregnancy became possible in 1972 when elevated α-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations in amniotic fluid in association with open NTDs were demonstrated in Edinburgh.4 These results have been amply confirmed.5-10 The AFP test is best used and most reliable between 14 to 16 weeks of gestation.8 With such prenatal diagnosis, termination of the abnormal pregnancy can be offered to the family. AFP is synthesized by the yolk sac and fetal liver and normally passes from the fetal serum into fetal urine and then into the amniotic fluid.

Key concepts: Medicine, Neural tube, Amniotic fluid, Fetus, Prenatal diagnosis, Obstetrics, Yolk sac, Pregnancy

Related papers

Related paper 1Related paper 2Related paper 3
Back to paper searchBrowse research topicsOriginal source
Prenatal detection of neural tube defects: False positive and negative results — Research Paper | ScholarLens