Prenatal diagnosis of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency using oligonucleotide probe analysis.

Prenatal diagnosis of a pregnancy at risk for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency was performed by oligonucleotide probe analysis using M- and Z-specific oligonucleotides. The result was confirmed by the alternative approach utilizing restriction fragment length polymorphisms. Application of oligonucleotide analysis requires only fetal tissue if proteinase inhibitor types are accurately determined within the family. Our modified protocol is easy to carry out and is practicable in all laboratories where the Southern blot procedure has been established.