The New Indian Journal of OBGYN 3(1)
Elevated maternal serum alpha fetoprotein (MSAFP) level in second trimester as a screening test for predicting adverse pregnancy outcome
Ashish Kumar Bhattacharjee, Gitanjali Deka, Firdusi Begum, Mandeep Bayan
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value when elevated MSAFP level in the second trimester is used as a screening test to predict subsequent adverse pregnancy outcome. Methods: MSAFP level was determined by using an immunometric immunoassay technique. Women with MSAFP level ≥ 2.5MoM were defined as elevated MSAFP. Results: The Sensitivity for elevated MSAFP level as screening test for predicting adverse pregnancy outcome was 39.62% (95%CI 26.45% to 54.00%), and the Specificity was 93.96% (95% CI 88.84% to 97.20%).The Positive Predictive Value was 70.00% (95% CI 50.60% to 85.27%) and the Negative Predictive Value was 81.40% (95% CI 74.76% to 86.91%). Conclusion: As a screening test for predicting adverse pregnancy outcome, elevated MSAFP level in the second trimester has a low sensitivity (40%) but high specificity (94%).