Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein and coagulation profiles after multifetal pregnancy reduction

Blood levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) may be elevated in women who have multifetal pregnancy reduction. Multifetal pregnancy reduction involves intervention to decrease the fetuses in a multifetus pregnancy. Maternal blood levels of AFP are routinely measured in the second trimester of pregnancy to screen for neural tube defects. Researchers measured blood levels of AFP in 57 women 1 1/2 weeks to 10 weeks after multifetal pregnancy reduction. All the women's blood levels of AFP were significantly higher than those associated with normal twin pregnancies. A coagulation profile was done of 17 patients two to five weeks after multifetal pregnancy reduction. One patient had a positive result on a test for the presence of fibrin split products in her blood. Two had intermediate results, and 14 had negative results. Other aspects of blood coagulation were normal in the women.