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Podcast: Dr. Chapa’s OBGYN Clinical Pearls
Episode: Elevated msAFP but Normal Fetal Anatomy: What Now?
Description: A breakthrough discovery in the 1970s was the determination of alpha-fetoprotein levels in the serum of pregnant women to detect fetuses with neural tube defects. In the case of high AFP values in maternal serum, amniocentesis was performed to determine the levels of AFP and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the amniotic fluid to confirm the diagnosis. Currently, the ACOG states that high-quality, second-trimester fetal anatomy ultrasonography is an appropriate screening test for NTDs where routinely performed for fetal anatomic survey at 18 to 22 weeks. If optimal images of the fetal spine, intracranial anatomy, or anterior abdominal wall are not obtained (eg...