Prediction of fetal alcohol syndrome by maternal alpha fetoprotein, human placental lactogen and pregnancy specific beta 1-glycoprotein.

No diagnostic measures exist for the fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Therefore, maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human placental lactogen (HPL) and pregnancy specific beta-1-glycoprotein (SP 1) were followed in 35 pregnant problem drinkers and 14 abstinent control women throughout pregnancy. Thirteen women gave birth to infants with FAS. These women had low levels of AFP and SP 1, but the levels of HPL were normal. Low AFP predicted FAS correctly in 59% with a relative risk of 2.46. Low SP 1 predicted FAS in 56% of the cases with FAS, and a relative risk was 3.29. HPL assay was useless in the detection of FAS. Low AFP and SP 1 may reflect primary or secondary effects of ethanol abuse in pregnancy and appear useful in predicting FAS. These tests can be recommended for routine use in the antenatal care of drinking women.