Amniotic fluid levels of alpha-fetoprotein and other proteins in a case of Turner's syndrome of the fetus.

A 34-year-old primigravida underwent genetic amniocentesis at 20 weeks gestation and the fetus was diagnosed as having Turner's syndrome. The concentration of alpha-fetoprotein in amniotic fluid was greatly elevated. Normal concentrations of amniotic fluid total protein, albumin and immunoglobulin indicated that the elevated level of alpha-fetoprotein was not the result of leakage through a hygroma, which has been previously suggested without supporting data in cases of Turner's syndrome of the fetus.