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Am J Perinatol 1985; 2(4): 328-329
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-999982
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1985 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Effect of Chorionic Villus Sampling on Serum Alpha Fetoprotein Levels

Terri G. Edersheim1 , Yvonne S. Thornton1 , M. Lita Alonso2 , Elias Kazam3
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York
  • 2Department of Pathology, The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York
  • 3Department of Radiology, The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York
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Publication History

Publication Date:
04 March 2008 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a recent advance in prenatal diagnosis in the first trimester. Maternal serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) screening for neural tube defects is done from 14-17 weeks gestation. Previous studies have shown an elevation of AFP levels following amniocentesis. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of CVS on AFP levels immediately following this procedure. CVS was performed under sonographic guidance on 22 patients between 6 and 12 weeks gestation undergoing elective termination of pregnancy. A Portex catheter was used for obtaining villi. Maternal serum AFP levels were ascertained before and after CVS by radioimmunoassay. In the group of patients 8 weeks or less, no change in AFP levels was seen; in patients > 8 weeks gestation, a significant rise in post-biopsy AFP level was noted in 7 of 14 patients. Further studies are planned to clarify the effect of CVS on AFP levels in patients with ongoing pregnancies. Clarification of this issue is important to the role of CVS in prenatal screening.

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