[Electrophoresis of cholinesterases of the amniotic fluid in the prenatal diagnosis of closure defects of the neural tube]

Abstract

The value of acetylcholinesterases (AChE) qualitative analysis as a tool for the diagnosis of fetal neural tube defect has been investigated in a series of 2,815 amniotic fluid samples. This test successfully identified all the 84 cases of open neural tube defects, 16 of which had been missed by ultra-sonography. AChE electrophoresis made it possible to exclude one false positive ultrasound diagnosis of neural tube defect, and to differentiate meningocele from myelomeningocele. Our experience suggests that AChE electrophoresis should be carried out in place of amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein estimations, in all cases of fetal abnormality detected by ultrasound scanning especially in fetal hydrocephaly, and in all pregnant women with an history of a previous pregnancy with a neural tube defect.