Evaluation of α-fetoprotein and alkaline phosphatase levels in prediction of preterm labor

¯Abstract Background: Preterm labor is one of the complications of pregnancy affecting 7% of cases. Objective: To determine variations of AFP & ALP as a predictive index of preterm labor. Methods: A case-control study was performed on 210 patients in Kosar hospital, Qazvin. The case group composed of 70 pregnant women between 28-37 weeks who had their deliveries in labor ward and diagnosed as preterm labor. The first control group included 70 pregnant women between 28-37 wks who were followed until 37th week of pregnancy and the mentioned parameters were measured in their serum. The second control group consisted of 70 women who had term delivery and evaluated for the effect of labor on the level of predicting markers. The data derived from questionnaires were used as primary information. The analysis of data was performed based on parametric test (t-test) using SPSS 4 (confidence interval of 95%). Findings: The mean of AFP in preterm labor group was 167.61 IU/ml followed by 77.5 and 70.5 IU/mL in first and second control groups, respectively. There was a significant difference (up to 2-205 times of mean value) between preterm labor group and the first control group (p<0.05). The mean of ALP in preterm labor group was 320 IU/mL followed by 284.1 and 280.1 IU/mL in first and second control groups, respectively. Regarding ALP levels, no significant difference was found between two control groups. Conclusion: The serum level of AFP was increased in preterm labor whereas no variation in the level of ALP was observed.