In order to ´evaluate the role of AFP in the estimation of. gestational age, AFP in cord sera was determined by radioimmunoassay (PEG method) from 117 newborn infants at various gestational age of whom pregnant women kno,vn their exact LIMP were delivered.
Cord blood samples were collected from newborn infants immediately after delivery.
The results obtained were as follows:
1. The majority of maternal age were in age group of 25-29 years, 6 cases (54.7%)
2. Among the total number of 117 cases 64 cases (54. 7,,00) were male and 53 cases (45. 30) female. The gestational ages were distributed from 28 weeks to 44 weeks. The majority were .in gestational age of 39-40 weeks, 37 cases (31.6%) . Among 117 cases studied, 63 cases (53.90) were fullterm infants, 43 cases (36.7%) premature infants and 11 cases (9.4%) postterm infants.
3. Birthweight of newborn infants was in a range of 1300 to 4100 gm. The most frequent birth weight of newborn infants was ranged from 3001 to 3500gm, 42 cases (35.9%).
4. The maximum level of AFP in cord serum determined in the Present study was 45.Omg/dl and the minimum level 3.2mg/dl. The average maximal serum AFP levels were 35.7513.06mg/dl In the gestational age of less than 30 weeks, and thereafter AFP levels decreased with increasing gestational age. The average levels of serum AFP between 39 and 40 weeks of gestation were 5.842.68mg/dl.
5. There was a close negative correlation between AFP in cord serum and gestational age (r=0.645, p<0.001) and the regression line can be derived from the formula y=0.28x +88.47.
6. Also there was a negative correlation between AFP in cord serum and birth weight (r=0.6085, p<0.001). This was less pronounced than for AFP in cord serum versus gestational age. The regression equation was y=8.975x+36.441.
7. The AFP levels were significantly higher in preterm AGA infant than those in terns AGA. However there were no significant differences between term SGA and term AGA.
6. The Coefficient of correlation between AFP in cord serum and gestational age was siigirtly higher than that between AFP and birthweight. In this point of the above results, the further investigation should be carried out for exact assessment of gestational age by means of AFP in cord blood.
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