Amniocentesis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Amniocentesis, including details on pregnancy, prenatal screening, diagnosis, risks, down syndrome.

The use of biochemical markers in prenatal diagnosis of intrauterine growth retardation: insulin-like growth factor I, Leptin, and alpha-fetoprotein.

Roig MD, Sabrià J, Valls C, Borràs M, Miró E, Ponce J, Vicens JM

Obstetrics and Gynecology Service, Sant Joan de Déu University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. lolagomez@eresmas.com

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relation between weight deficit at birth and IGF-I, IGFBP-I, Leptin, and AFP levels in amniotic fluid after 14-18 weeks; to assess the diagnostic usefulness of these biochemical markers. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal, prospective study. Amniocentesis was performed in pregnant women after 14-18 weeks of gestation. Study population: 86 controls, 18 IUGR <10 percentile, and 17 IUGR <5 percentile. RESULTS: No significant correlation was found between severity of IUGR and IGF-I, IGFBP-I, or Leptin. AFP was inversely correlated with severity of IUGR; results for the IUGR <10 percentile were: S: 65.7%, SP: 56.9%, PPV: 38.3%, NPV: 80.3%, and an overall diagnostic capacity of 65.6%. Results for the IUGR <5 percentile were: S: 76.4%, SP: 54.8%, PPV: 21.6%, NPV: 93.4% were obtained, and an overall capacity of 70.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated values of AFP in amniotic fluid may help early detection of populations at risk of developing IUGR.

Published 3 May 2005 in Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol, 120(1): 27-32.
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