Skip to main content
Journal of Clinical Pathology. Supplement (Royal College of Pathologists) logoLink to Journal of Clinical Pathology. Supplement (Royal College of Pathologists)
. 1976;10:157–164.

Alphafetoprotein and neural tube defects

D J H Brock 1
PMCID: PMC1347167  PMID: 61208

Full text

PDF
157

Images in this article

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Allan L. D., Ferguson-Smith M. A., Donald I., Sweet E. M., Gibson A. A. Amniotic-fluid alpha-fetoprotein in the antenatal diagnosis of spina bifida. Lancet. 1973 Sep 8;2(7828):522–525. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(73)92347-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. BERGSTRAND C. G., CZAR B. Demonstration of a new protein fraction in serum from the human fetus. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 1956;8(2):174–174. doi: 10.3109/00365515609049266. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Brock D. J. Amniotic fluid alpha2-macroglobulin and the antenatal diagnosis of spina bifida and anencephaly. Clin Genet. 1975 Oct;8(4):297–301. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1975.tb01505.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Brock D. J., Bolton A. E., Monaghan J. M. Prenatal diagnosis of anencephaly through maternal serum-alphafetoprotein measurement. Lancet. 1973 Oct 27;2(7835):923–924. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(73)92592-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Brock D. J., Bolton A. E., Scrimgeour J. B. Prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida and anencephaly through maternal plasma-alpha-fetoprotein measurement. Lancet. 1974 Apr 27;1(7861):767–769. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)92839-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Brock D. J. Letter: Antenatal misdiagnosis of neural-tube defects. Lancet. 1975 Sep 13;2(7933):495–495. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)90561-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Brock D. J., Olsson J. E. Comparison of alphafetoprotein and beta-trace protein in the antenatal diagnosis of anencephaly and spina bifida. Clin Genet. 1976 Apr;9(4):385–388. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1976.tb02267.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Brock D. J., Scrimgeour J. B., Bolton A. E., Wald N., Peto R., Barker S. Effect of gestational age on screening for neural-tube defects by maternal plasma-A.F.P. measurement. Lancet. 1975 Aug 2;2(7927):195–196. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)90669-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Brock D. J., Scrimgeour J. B. Early prenatal diagnosis of anencephaly. Lancet. 1972 Dec 9;2(7789):1252–1253. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(72)92306-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Brock D. J., Scrimgeour J. B., Nelson M. M. Amniotic fluid alphafetoprotein measurements in the early prenatal diagnosis of central nervous system disorders. Clin Genet. 1975 Feb;7(2):163–169. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0004.1975.tb00313.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Brock D. J., Sutcliffe R. G. Alpha-fetoprotein in the antenatal diagnosis of anencephaly and spina bifida. Lancet. 1972 Jul 29;2(7770):197–199. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(72)91634-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Brock D. J. The molecular nature of alpha-fetoprotein in anencephaly and spina bifida. Clin Chim Acta. 1974 Dec 17;57(3):315–320. doi: 10.1016/0009-8981(74)90413-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Campbell S., Pryse-Davies J., Coltart T. M., Seller M. J., Singer J. D. Ultrasound in the diagnosis of spina bifida. Lancet. 1975 May 10;1(7915):1065–1068. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)91831-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Cantuaria A. A., Jones A. L. Immunoglobulin M in human amniotic fluid and its possible association with neural-tube malformations. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1975 Apr;82(4):262–264. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1975.tb00631.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Carter C. O. Clues to the aetiology of neural tube malformations. Dev Med Child Neurol. 1974 Dec;16(6 Suppl 32):3–15. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.1974.tb03442.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Carter C. O., Evans K. Children of adult survivors with spina bifida cystica. Lancet. 1973 Oct 27;2(7835):924–926. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(73)92593-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Carter C. O., Roberts J. A. The risk of recurrence after two children with central-nervous-system malformations. Lancet. 1967 Feb 11;1(7485):306–308. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(67)91240-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Cassady G., Cailliteau J. The amniotic fluid in anencephaly. Preliminary report. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1967 Feb 1;97(3):395–399. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(67)90504-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Cowchock F. S., Jackson L. G. Letter: Maternal serum-alpha-fetoprotein and anencephaly. Lancet. 1974 Jul 6;2(7871):48–48. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)91381-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Emery A. E., Brock D. J., Burt D., Eccleston D. Amniotic fluid composition in malformations of the fetal central nervous system. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw. 1974 Jul;81(7):512–516. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1974.tb00508.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  21. Field B., Mitchell G., Garrett W., Kerr C. Letter: amniotic alpha-fetoprotein levels and anencephaly. Lancet. 1973 Oct 6;2(7832):798–798. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(73)91069-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  22. Garoff L., Seppälä M. Alpha fetoprotein and human placental lactogen levels in maternal serum in multiple pregnancies. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw. 1973 Aug;80(8):695–700. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1973.tb16052.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  23. Garoff L., Seppälä M. Prediction of fetal outcome in threatened abortion by maternal serum placental lactogen and alpha fetoprotein. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1975 Jan 15;121(2):257–261. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(75)90650-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  24. Gitlin D., Boesman M. Serum alpha-fetoprotein, albumin, and gamma-G-globulin in the human conceptus. J Clin Invest. 1966 Nov;45(11):1826–1838. doi: 10.1172/JCI105486. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  25. Gitlin D., Boesman M. Sites of serum alpha-fetoprotein synthesis in the human and in the rat. J Clin Invest. 1967 Jun;46(6):1010–1016. doi: 10.1172/JCI105590. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  26. Harris R., Jennison R. F., Barson A. J., Laurence K. M., Ruoslahti E., Seppälä M. Comparison of amniotic-fluid and maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels in the early antenatal diagnosis of spina bifida and anencephaly. Lancet. 1974 Mar 16;1(7855):428–429. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  27. Ishiguro T. Serum alpha-fetoprotein in hydatidiform mole, choriocarcinoma, and twin pregnancy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1975 Feb 15;121(4):539–541. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(75)90088-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  28. Kjessler B., Johansson S. G., Sherman M., Gustavson K. H., Hultquist G. Alpha-fetoprotein in antenatal diagnosis of congenital nephrosis. Lancet. 1975 Feb 22;1(7904):432–433. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)91495-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  29. Kjessler B., Johansson S. G., Sherman M., Gustavsson K. H., Jutquist G. Letter: Antenatal diagnosis of congenital nephrosis. Lancet. 1975 Sep 20;2(7934):553–553. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)90926-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  30. Knox E. G. Anencephalus and dietary intakes. Br J Prev Soc Med. 1972 Nov;26(4):219–223. doi: 10.1136/jech.26.4.219. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  31. Laurence K. M. Fetal malformations and abnormalities. Lancet. 1974 Oct 19;2(7886):939–942. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)91142-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  32. Laurence K. M. The recurrence risk in spina bifida cystica and anencephaly. Dev Med Child Neurol Suppl. 1969;20:23–30. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.1969.tb09240.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  33. Leek A. E., Leighton P. C., Kitau M. J., Chard T. Letter: Prospective diagnosis of spina bifida. Lancet. 1974 Dec 21;2(7895):1511–1511. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)90245-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  34. Leighton P. C., Kitau M. J., Chard T., Gordon Y. B., Leek A. E. Levels of alpha-fetoprotein in maternal blood as a screening test for fetal neural-tube defect. Lancet. 1975 Nov 22;2(7943):1012–1015. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)90295-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  35. Letter: Changing pattern of antenatal diagnosis. Lancet. 1974 Nov 2;2(7888):1077–1077. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  36. Lorber J., Stewart C. R., Ward A. M. Alpha-fetoprotein in antenatal diagnosis of anencephaly and spina bifida. Lancet. 1973 May 26;1(7813):1187–1187. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(73)91190-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  37. Macri J. N., Weiss R. R., Joshi M. S., Evans M. I. Antenatal diagnosis of neural-tube defects using cerebrospinal-fluid proteins. Lancet. 1974 Jan 5;1(7845):14–15. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)93002-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  38. Macri J. N., Weiss R. R., Joshi M. S. Letter: Beta-trace protein and neural-tube defects. Lancet. 1974 Jun 1;1(7866):1109–1110. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)90586-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  39. Milunsky A., Alpert E. The value of alpha-fetoprotein in the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects. J Pediatr. 1974 Jun;84(6):889–893. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(74)80776-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  40. Nelson M. M., Ruttiman M. T., Brock D. J. Letter: Predictive value of amniotic-fluid macrophages in gross C.N.S. defects. Lancet. 1974 Mar 23;1(7856):504–504. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)92805-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  41. Nevin N. C., Armstrong M. J. Raised alpha-fetoprotein levels in amniotic fluid and maternal serum in a triplet pregnancy in which one fetus had an omphalocoele. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1975 Oct;82(10):826–828. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1975.tb00581.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  42. Nevin N. C., Nesbitt S., Thompson W. Myelocele and alpha-fetoprotein in amniotic fluid. Lancet. 1973 Jun 16;1(7816):1383–1383. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(73)91699-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  43. Nevin N. C., Thompson W., Nesbitt S. Amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein in the antenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Commonw. 1974 Oct;81(10):757–760. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1974.tb00376.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  44. Olsson J. E., Sherman M. S., Kjessler B. Letter: Beta-trace protein and neural-tube defects. Lancet. 1974 Aug 10;2(7876):347–348. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)91721-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  45. Purdie D. W., Howie P. W., Edgar W., Forbes C. D., Prentice C. R. Raised amniotic-fluid F.D.P. in fetal neural-tube anomalies. Lancet. 1975 May 3;1(7914):1013–1014. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)91951-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  46. Renwick J. H. Hypothesis: anencephaly and spina bifida are usually preventable by avoidance of a specific but unidentified substance present in certain potato tubers. Br J Prev Soc Med. 1972 May;26(2):67–88. doi: 10.1136/jech.26.2.67. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  47. Schmid W., Mühlethaler J. P. High amniotic fluid alpha-1-fetoprotein in a case of fetal sacrococcygeal teratoma. Humangenetik. 1975;26(4):353–354. doi: 10.1007/BF00285387. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  48. Seller M. J., Campbell S., Coltart T. M., Singer J. D. Early termination of anencephalic pregnancy after detection by raised alpha-fetoprotein levels. Lancet. 1973 Jul 14;2(7820):73–73. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(73)93264-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  49. Seller M. J., Creasy M. R., Alberman E. D. Alpha-fetoprotein levels in amniotic fluids from spontaneous abortions. Br Med J. 1974 Jun 8;2(5918):524–525. doi: 10.1136/bmj.2.5918.524. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  50. Seller M. J., Singer J. D., Coltart T. M., Campbell S. Maternal serum-alpha-fetoprotein levels and prenatal diagnosis of neural-tube defects. Lancet. 1974 Mar 16;1(7855):429–433. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  51. Seppälä M. Fetal pathophysiology of human alpha-fetoprotein. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1975 Aug 22;259:59–73. doi: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1975.tb25402.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  52. Seppälä M., Ruoslahti E. Alpha fetoprotein in maternal serum: a new marker for detection of fetal distress and intrauterine death. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1973 Jan 1;115(1):48–52. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(73)90087-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  53. Seppälä M., Ruoslahti E. Alpha fetoprotein: Physiology and pathology during pregnancy and application to antenatal diagnosis. J Perinat Med. 1973;1(2):104–113. doi: 10.1515/jpme.1973.1.2.104. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  54. Seppälä M., Ruoslahti E. Radioimmunoassay of maternal serum alpha fetoprotein during pregnancy and delivery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1972 Jan 15;112(2):208–212. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(72)90117-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  55. Seppälä M., Unnérus H. A. Elevated amniotic fluid alpha fetoprotein in fetal hydrocephaly. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1974 May 15;119(2):270–272. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(74)90047-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  56. Steward C. R., Ward A. M., Lorber J. Amniotic fluid alpha1fetoprotein in the diagnosis of neural tract malformations. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1975 Apr;82(4):257–261. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1975.tb00630.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  57. Sutherland G. R., Brock D. J., Scrimgeour J. B. Amniotic fluid macrophages and the antenatal diagnosis of anencephaly and spina bifida. J Med Genet. 1975 Jun;12(2):135–137. doi: 10.1136/jmg.12.2.135. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  58. Sutherland G. R., Brock D. J., Scrimgeour J. B. Letter: Amniotic-fluid macrophages and anencephaly. Lancet. 1973 Nov 10;2(7837):1098–1099. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(73)92720-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  59. Vince J. D., McManus T. J., Ferguson-Smith M. A., Ratcliffe J. G. A semi-automated serum alphafetoprotein radioimmunoassay for prenatal spina bifida screening. Br J Obstet Gynaecol. 1975 Sep;82(9):718–727. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.1975.tb00712.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  60. Wald N. J., Brock D. J., Bonnar J. Prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida and anencephaly by maternal serum-alpha-fetoprotein measurement. A controlled study. Lancet. 1974 Apr 27;1(7861):765–767. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(74)92838-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  61. Wald N., Barker S., Peto R., Brock D. J., Bonnar J. Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels in multiple pregnancy. Br Med J. 1975 Mar 22;1(5959):651–652. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.5959.651. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  62. Weinberg A. G., Milunsky A., Harrod M. J. Letter: Elevated amniotic-fluid alpha-fetoprotein and duodenal atresia. Lancet. 1975 Sep 13;2(7933):496–496. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(75)90562-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  63. Weiss R. R., Macri J. N., Tejani N., Tillitt R., Mann L. I. Antenatal diagnosis and lung maturation in anencephaly. Obstet Gynecol. 1974 Sep;44(3):368–372. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  64. Wynne-Davies R. Congenital vertebral anomalies: aetiology and relationship to spina bifida cystica. J Med Genet. 1975 Sep;12(3):280–288. doi: 10.1136/jmg.12.3.280. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Journal of Clinical Pathology. Supplement (Royal College of Pathologists). are provided here courtesy of BMJ Publishing Group

RESOURCES