Fetal neural tube defects detected by rocket-on-line immunoelectrophoresis of amniotic fluids.

Immunization of rabbits with human fetal brain membranes evoked antisera with reactivity against D-2 protein from brain and cerebrospinal fluid. In amniotic fluids from pregnancies with fetal neural tube defects the presence of D2-protein could be demonstrated by rocket-on-line immunoelectrophoresis. In a prospective study on 72 amniotic fluids with increased alphafetoprotein concentration neural tube defects were correctly predicted in 26 pregnancies. One false-negative and four false-positive pregnancies were encountered. D2-protein determination may thus have a role in antenatal diagnosis of neural tube malformations as a supplement to alphafetoprotein analysis.