Measuring the amount of maternal serum alphafetoprotein (MS-AFP) has resulted in the detection of multiple fetal anomalies and fetal demise. Ultrasound has been essential in the detection of causes of elevated and decreased levels of MS-AFP. Elevated MS-AFP levels have been associated with inaccurate dates, fetal demise, neural tube defects, abdominal wall defects, and sacrococcygeal teratomas. Decreased levels of MS-AFP have been associated with inaccurate dates, nonpregnancy, hydatid mole, and Down syndrome fetuses. A retrospective study performed at Loma Linda University on 493 patients with abnormal MS-AFP values resulted in detection of 25 anomalies with increased MS-AFP levels and 10 anomalies with decreased MS-AFP levels.
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