[Maternal serum gamma-glutamyltransferase and prenatal diagnosis of the fetal alcohol syndrome].

In order to investigate prospectively the relationship between maternal serum levels of a biologic marker of alcohol and the outcome of pregnancy, we measured serum gamma-glutamyltransferase in 541 women between 14 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. An abnormally elevated value was observed in 6.8% of the cases but only 16.2% of these suspected alcohol abusers admitted drinking practices during pregnancy. Analysis of obstetrical issue and blind examination of the newborns showed a significant correlation between raised gamma-glutamyltransferase levels and an increased incidence of pre-/perinatal complications, congenital anomalies and intrauterine growth retardation. However, the sensitivity of this test is weak, limiting its use in the early recognition and prevention of fetal alcohol effects.