Study of the relationship between elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein and adverse pregnancy outcome.

In a study of 1,703 pregnancies, adverse clinical outcomes associated with unexplained elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) included intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), prematurity, IUGR and prematurity, prematurity without IUGR, spontaneous abortion, and stillbirth. These findings have significant implications for careful obstetrical management of patients with elevated MSAFP.