Publication:

To study analyze maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein as a biomarker of placental adherence in low lying placenta

Background To study the place of Maternal Serum Alfa Feto Protein (MSAFP) as a biomarker of placental adherence in low lying placenta, and to study maternal outcome in the study group.

Methods This is a prospective observational study analyzing the conditions and the data of 90 cases with low lying placenta in a tertiary care hospital. The analysis was done for the association of MSAFP with MRI, perinatal and maternal outcome.

Results The level of MSAFP was found higher in 14 out of 15 cases (93.3%) of placenta previa with placental adherence. There was significant surgical intervention (80%) and increased maternal morbidity (68.8%) in the study group with placental adherence and raised MSAFP respectively.

Conclusions MSAFP is an important biomarker for prognostication of placental adherence in low lying placenta.