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. 1993 Sep;159(3):312–317.

Maternal serum screening for neural tube defects and fetal chromosome abnormalities.

N C Rose 1, M T Mennuti 1
PMCID: PMC1011344  PMID: 7694429

Abstract

Second-trimester maternal serum screening is a noninvasive means of identifying pregnant women at an increased risk for various conditions including a fetus with open spina bifida, fetal Down syndrome, trisomy 18, multiple gestation, and adverse pregnancy outcome. Combinations of several different markers are available for screening. These include alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin, and unconjugated estriol. In this review, we discuss the benefits and limitations of the screening tests and the suggested protocols for the care of patients.

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Selected References

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