Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN) Practice Exam

Elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein is a marker for which condition?

1. Down syndrome

2. Spina bifida

3. Neural tube defects

4. Multiple sclerosis

The correct answer is: Spina bifida

An elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level is particularly significant in the context of neural tube defects. Alpha-fetoprotein is a protein produced by the fetal liver, and its levels can be measured in the mother's blood during pregnancy. When there are neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, there may be an increased amount of AFP that crosses into the mother's bloodstream due to the defect. The association between elevated AFP and neural tube defects is well-established in prenatal screening. Maintaining awareness of this correlation is crucial, as it allows for further diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound or amniocentesis to assess the condition of the fetus more accurately. Early identification and appropriate counseling can be beneficial in managing such cases. Conditions like Down syndrome are typically associated with lower levels of maternal serum AFP, while multiple sclerosis is not directly related to AFP levels in maternal serum. Therefore, recognizing elevated AFP as a marker for spina bifida and other neural tube defects is essential for providing comprehensive prenatal care.