Detection and measurement of fetomaternal haemorrhage: serum alpha-fetoprotein and the Kleihauer technique

A raised maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein concentration was taken as an indicator of fetomaternal haemorrhage due to amniocentesis and was used to calculate the volume of the fetal bleed. The alpha-fetoprotein concentration seemed to be a more sensitive and reliable indicator than the established Kleihauer technique and may have further applications in antenatal testing.