Placenta accreta/percreta/increta: a cause of elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) and abnormal placental adherence (placenta accreta/percreta/increta).

METHODS

We reviewed the MSAFP levels of 11 women who had cesarean hysterectomies because of placenta accreta/percreta/increta. The control group consisted of 14 women who delivered by cesarean because of placenta previa but who had no abnormal placental adherence.

RESULTS

Five of the 11 women with placenta accreta/percreta/increta had elevated MSAFP, whereas all 14 controls had normal levels.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate a significant association between elevated MSAFP and placenta accreta/percreta/increta (P = .017). Patients with an unexplained elevation of MSAFP as well as placenta previa may be at increased risk for abnormal placental adherence.