[Serum levels of trophoblast-specific beta-1-globulin (SP1) and alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP) in pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis].

In 19 pregnant women treated on account of rheumatic disease (17 women with rheumatoid arthritis or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, one woman with non-specified arthralgia, one woman with rheumatic fever in the case-history) were examined at least once during pregnancy for SP1 and AFP serum levels. For the assessment of SP1 simple radial immunodiffusion was used, for the assessment of AFP Sevatest ELISA AFP Micro I. The SP1 and AFP levels were compared with the physiological range in the pertaining week of gestation. In nine women of 19 patients raised SP1 levels were found, in seven elevated AFP levels. In all patients with elevated SP1 levels the disease improved, while in four of ten women with normal or reduced SP1 levels the disease deteriorated or developed during pregnancy. This relationship was not found in AFP.