α1‐FETOPROTEIN CONCENTRATION IN CORD SERUM AS A PARAMETER FOR GESTATIONAL AGE

Summary Quantitation of human α1‐‐foetoprotein by Laurell immunoelectrophoresis in cord serum from 258 newborn infants with a gestational age between 306 and 210 days showed a close negative correlation with gestational age (r =— 0.89). The correlation between α1‐‐foeto‐protein and birth weight was less pronounced (r=—0.60). No difference in the concentration of al‐foetoprotein was found in Small for Gestational Age (SGA), Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) and Large for Gestational Age (LGA) infants with the same gestational age. From a given α1‐‐foetoprotein concentration in cord blood the confidence limits for prediction of gestational age is ±16 days. In 149 infants with a gestational age ≤280 days the correlation between al‐foetoprotein and gestational age was even better (r = ‐0.92).