Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 17

Amniocentesis is performed following a maternal serum AFP level of 2.2 MoM at 15 weeks’ gestation.

a. What fetal condition is suspected?

b. If the amniotic fluid AFP is 2.5 MoM, what additional test could be performed?

c. In what situation would this additional test not be performed?

Step 1 of 3

a.

Suspected fetal condition is the neural tube disorders spina bifida and anencephaly.

AFP (Alpha-Feto Protein) level of 2.2 at 15 weeks of gestation indicates the neural tube defects.

• Fetal neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly can be indicated by the increased levels of alpha-fetoprotein in both maternal serum and amniotic fluid