[Quantitative acetylcholinesterase (AChE)--determination in amniotic fluid--potential for differential diagnosis in consistently high AFP levels during general AFP screening for prenatal diagnosis of open neural tube defects].

Abstract

Measurement of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration for prenatal detection of open neural tube defects had been introduced into the obstetrical care of pregnant women in the district of Schwerin since 1983. In cases of high risk for presence of an open neural tube defect, noticed by elevated levels of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration step by step further diagnostic steps are necessary. In addition to special examination by ultrasound and measurement of alpha-fetoprotein concentration in amniotic fluid quantitative analysis of acetylcholinesterase activity in amniotic fluid seems to be valuable. Reliability of detecting open neural tube defects in prenatal care had been proved by quantitative analysis of acetylcholinesterase activity in amniotic fluid. The existing results up to now were very reliable, especially biological transit stages from normal to pathological findings were taken into consideration, too. In these cases further controls are necessary. Levels of acethylcholinesterase activity below the 90th percentile can be considered as normal findings, levels above the 99th percentile must be interpreted as pathological findings. These are our experiences up to date.

• Authors: C Zwahr, A Grosch, A Horn, M Schulze
• Journal: Zentralblatt fur Gynakologie (Zentralbl Gynakol) Vol. 111 Issue 19 Pg. 1285-92 ( 1989) ISSN: 0044-4197 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Die quantitative Acetylcholinesterase (AChE)--Bestimmung im Fruchtwasser--eine Möglichkeit der Feindiagnostik bei wiederholt erhöhten AFP-Werten im Rahmen eines generellen AFP-Screenings zur pränatalen Erfassung offener Neuralrohrdefekte.
• PMID: 2480036 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• alpha-Fetoproteins
• Acetylcholinesterase

Topics

• Acetylcholinesterase (metabolism)
• Amniocentesis
• Amniotic Fluid (enzymology)
• Female
• Humans
• Neural Tube Defects (blood, diagnosis)
• Pregnancy (blood)
• Reference Values
• alpha-Fetoproteins (metabolism)