Fetal proteinuria in diagnosis of congenital nephrosis detected by raised alpha-fetoprotein in maternal serum.

Abstract

High concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FP) were found at 14, 19, and 21 weeks gestation in the serum of a woman with a history of unexplained fetal death in her previous pregnancies. The alpha-FP concentration of the liquor also was high at 21 weeks and the pregnancy was terminated. Though the fetus was macroscopically normal, measurement of albumin, alpha-FP, IgG, and alpha2-macroglobulin in the fetal urine showed a selective proteinuria, and congenital nephrosis was diagnosed after examination of the fetal kidneys by electron microscopy. Possibly some fetuses reported to be "false-positive for neural tube defect" may have had renal lesions of this nature. Examination of fetal urine may be the simplest initial diagnostic procedure in any future case.

• Authors: H Thom, F D Johnstone, J I Gibson, G B Scott, D W Noble
• Journal: British medical journal (Br Med J) Vol. 1 Issue 6052 Pg. 16-8 (Jan 01 1977) ISSN: 0007-1447 [Print] England
• PMID: 64273 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• alpha-Fetoproteins

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Fetal Diseases (diagnosis, urine)
• Humans
• Maternal-Fetal Exchange
• Nephrosis (congenital, diagnosis, pathology)
• Placenta (pathology)
• Pregnancy
• Proteinuria (etiology)
• alpha-Fetoproteins (analysis)