Revista electrónica "Dr. Zoilo E. Marinello Vidaurreta"
Gestantes con alfafetoproteína sérica materna elevada en un área de salud de Las Tunas Cuba, 2020-2022
By Sandra Jorge-Caiña, Liuva Moreno-Batista, Clara Dorkis Tejeda-Ruíz and 2 others.
Abstract
Introduction
maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein is a biochemical marker used in the prenatal screening of congenital defects, particularly neural tube defects. However, elevated levels are also associated with various maternal and fetal factors, and in many cases, no apparent cause is identified.
Objective
to characterize pregnant women with abnormal maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels who received care at the “Manuel Piti Fajardo” polyclinic in the Las Tunas municipality between July 2020 and December 2022.
Methods
adescriptive cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 210 pregnant women whose maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were ≥2.0 multiples of the median. The variables analyzed included maternal age, nutritional status, substance use (toxic habits), maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein levels, multiples of the median, diagnosed congenital defects, and associated risk factors. Descriptive statistics were used.