Roberts C J, Hibbard B M, Evans D R, Evans K T, Laurence K M, Hoole M, Roberts E, Ennis W P
Br Med J. 1979 Apr 14;1(6169):981-3. doi: 10.1136/bmj.1.6169.981.
The interpretation of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations in relation to fetal neural tube defects depends on accurate assessment of the gestational age. In a quadruple-blind study three antenatal methods of assessment--namely, menstrual dates, clinical examination, and ultrasound scanning--were correlated with postnatal assessment using the Dubowitz scoring system. The best agreement to +/- 1 week was obtained using menstrual dates and ultrasound in combination, such agreement being found in 91 (77%) of the 118 women studied. Since serum AFP concentrations vary with gestational age, precise gestational dating is necessary. In many cases, particularly in women who are unsure of their dates or have irregular menstrual cycles, ultrasound examination is needed to supplement clinical findings.
孕妇血清甲胎蛋白（AFP）浓度与胎儿神经管缺陷之间关系的解读取决于对孕周的准确评估。在一项四盲研究中，三种产前评估方法——即末次月经日期、临床检查和超声扫描——与使用杜波维茨评分系统进行的产后评估相关联。将末次月经日期和超声结合使用时，与实际孕周相差±1周的一致性最佳，在所研究的118名女性中，有91名（77%）呈现出这种一致性。由于血清AFP浓度随孕周变化，因此精确的孕周测定很有必要。在许多情况下，尤其是那些不确定末次月经日期或月经周期不规律的女性，需要进行超声检查以补充临床检查结果。
