[Alpha-1 fetoprotein in maternal serum (author's transl)].

Serum alpha-1 fetoprotein (AFP) had been determined by radioimmunoassay in 578 patients. During normal pregnancy the AFP concentration increases continuously till 32nd week of pregnancy while thereafter a decrease has been observed. Values of AFP which were found beyond standard deviation indicate fetal distress. Further studies will contribute to the significance of AFP for monitoring normal pregnancies, determination of gestational age and diagnosis of fetal distress in cases of high risk pregnancies.