Miscarriage determination in first trimester based on alpha-fetoprotein extracted from sanitary pads

ObjectiveTo determine if high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level in vaginal blood collected on a sanitary pad can assist with detecting an active miscarriage.DesignA prospective cohort study.SettingAcademic medical center.Patient(s)Five groups were evaluated: women miscarriage, pregnancy of unknown location, completed miscarriage or extrauterine (EUP), ongoing pregnancy, and undergoing elective dilation curettage (D&C).Intervention(s)None.Main Outcome Measure(s)For each patient, AFP the was quantified.Result(s)The median levels (and their ranges) 3.7 IU/mL (0.5–739.2) 4,542 (15.6–100,000) (n = 16) D&C 24) groups, respectively. Alpha-fetoprotein detected all cases except 1 case. In group 35), only 2 35 specimens showed detectable levels. location 12) EUP 10) no detected. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated 93.7% sensitivity 97.8% specificity for detection (cutoff 0.61 IU/mL; area under curve 0.96).Conclusion(s)Alpha-fetoprotein be extracted from pads. A same-day miscarriage. This novel test is useful differentiating miscarriages pregnancies, miscarriages, EUPs and, therefore, it reduces uncertainty, anxiety level, number repeat office visits. To study. Academic center. Five (D&C). None. For quantified. The 0.96).