Interpretation

Neural Tube Defects

A screen-negative result indicates that the calculated alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) multiple of the median (MoM) falls below the established cutoff of 2.50 MoM. A negative screen does not guarantee the absence of neural tube defects (NTD).

A screen-positive result indicates that the calculated AFP MoM is 2.50 or greater and may indicate an increased risk for open NTD. The actual risk depends on the level of AFP and the individual's pretest risk of having a child with NTD based on family history, geographical location, maternal conditions such as diabetes and epilepsy, and use of folate prior to conception. A screen-positive result does not infer a definitive diagnosis of NTD but indicates that further evaluation should be considered. Approximately 80% of pregnancies affected with NTD have elevated AFP, MoM values greater than 2.5.

Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) and Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome):

A screen-negative result indicates that the calculated screen risk is below the established cutoff of 1/270 for trisomy 21 and 1/100 for trisomy 18. A negative screen does not guarantee the absence of trisomy 21 or trisomy 18.

When a trisomy 21 second-trimester risk cutoff of 1/270 is used for follow-up, the combination of maternal age, AFP, estriol, human chorionic gonadotropin, and inhibin A has an overall detection rate of approximately 77% to 81% with a false-positive rate of 6% to 7%. In practice, both the detection rate and false-positive rate increase with age. The detection rate ranges from 66% (early teens) to 99% (late 40s), with false-positive rates of between 3% and 62%, respectively.

The detection rate for trisomy 18 is 60% to 80% using a second trimester cutoff of 1/100.

Follow-up

Upon receiving maternal serum screening results, all information used in the risk calculation should be reviewed for accuracy (maternal date of birth, gestational dating, etc). If any information is incorrect, the laboratory should be contacted for a recalculation of the estimated risks.

Screen-negative results typically do not warrant further evaluation.

Ultrasound is recommended to confirm dates for NTD or trisomy 21 screen-positive results. Many pregnancies affected with trisomy 18 are small for gestational age. Recalculations that lower the gestational age may decrease the detection rate for trisomy 18. If ultrasound yields new dates that differ by at least 7 days, a recalculation should be considered. If dates are confirmed, high-resolution ultrasound and amniocentesis (including amniotic fluid AFP and acetylcholinesterase measurements for NTD) are typically offered.