Myelomeningocele
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Elevated levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) are present in maternal serum in the majority (approximately 80%) of open neural tube defects. A decreased level of AFP along with abnormal levels of hCG and estriol (triple test) in maternal serum is used as a screening test for Down syndrome. This screening test for Down syndrome detects up to 60% of cases of Down syndrome but has a high false positive rate.