PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS Ⅱ. AMNIOTIC FLUID ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ISOENZYME PATTERNS AND ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN FOR PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS

Both amniotic fluid (AF) alphafetoprotein (AFP) and acetylcholinesterase isoenzyme patterns (AChEI) were used for prenatal diagnosis. 721 samples were analyzed. The results obtained from AChEI analysis by gel electrophoresis of AF were much more accurate than those from AFP. In 58 pregnancies with uncertain gestational age, assessment became difficult because its values decreased significantly after the 16th week of gestation but AChEI was not influenced by gestational ages. Both methods are reliable in the diagnosis of open neural tube defects (NTDs) in early pregnancy.