Cheung Kwok Lung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-136). / ABSTRACT (English) --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.1 / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.3 / LIST OF TABLES --- p.5 / LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS --- p.7 / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES --- p.8 / Chapter II. --- LITERATURE REVIEWS --- p.11 / Chapter II.A. --- Maternal Serum Alpha-fetoprotein Screeningin Singleton Pregnancies --- p.11 / Chapter II.A.1. --- Physiology of Alpha-fetoprotein --- p.12 / Chapter II.A.2. --- Historical Background of Screening by Alpha- fetoprotein --- p.12 / Chapter II.A.3. --- Factors that Influence Maternal Serum Alpha- fetoprotein Concentration --- p.13 / Chapter ILA.4. --- Elevated Maternal Serum Alpha-fetoprotein Concentration and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Complications --- p.14 / Chapter II.A.4.a. --- Low Birth Weight --- p.16 / Chapter II.A.4.b. --- Fetal Loss --- p.17 / Chapter II.A.4.c. --- Pregnancy Induced Hypertension --- p.18 / Chapter II.B. --- Maternal Serum Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin Screening in Singleton Pregnancies --- p.18 / Chapter II.B.1. --- Physiology of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin --- p.18 / Chapter II.B.2. --- Historical Background of Screening by Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin --- p.20 / Chapter II.B.3. --- Factors that Influence Maternal Serum Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin --- p.21 / Chapter II.B.4. --- Elevated Maternal Serum Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin Concentration and Pregnancy Complications --- p.21 / Chapter II.B.5. --- Maternal Serum AFP and hCG Concentrations and Adverse Outcomes or Complications in Twin Pregnancies --- p.23 / Chapter II.C. --- Mechanism for the Association between Adverse Outcomes and Elevated Maternal Serum Alpha- fetoprotein and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin --- p.25 / Chapter III. --- METHODS --- p.28 / Chapter III.A. --- Study Population --- p.28 / Chapter III.B. --- Sample Collection and Analysis --- p.29 / Chapter III.C. --- Clinical Information --- p.30 / Chapter III.D. --- Microparticle Enzyme Immunoassay --- p.30 / Chapter III.D.1. --- Principles --- p.30 / Chapter III.D.1.a. --- Reaction Process --- p.31 / Chapter III.D.1.b. --- MEIA Assembly --- p.33 / Chapter III.D.1.c. --- Operation --- p.34 / Chapter III.D.2. --- AFP Assay --- p.34 / Chapter III.D.2.a. --- AFP Reagents --- p.34 / Chapter III.D.2.b. --- Sample Dilution --- p.36 / Chapter III.D.3. --- Total p-hCG Assay --- p.37 / Chapter III.D.3.a. --- Total p-hCG Reagents --- p.37 / Chapter III.D.3.b. --- Sample Dilution --- p.39 / Chapter III.D.4. --- Intra- and Inter-assay Variation --- p.39 / Chapter III.E. --- Data Handling --- p.42 / Chapter III.F. --- Statistical Analysis --- p.42 / Chapter III.F.1. --- Calculations of Median Values of Maternal Serum Alpha-fetoprotein and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin Concentrations --- p.42 / Chapter III.F.2. --- Analysis for Adverse Outcomes or Complications --- p.43 / Chapter III.F.3. --- Adjustment of Alpha-fetoprotein and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin for Gestational Age and Maternal Weight --- p.46 / Chapter IV. --- RESULTS --- p.48 / Chapter IV.A. --- Median Values of Maternal Serum Alpha-fetoprotein Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin --- p.48 / Chapter IV.B. --- Prediction of Adverse Outcomes by Maternal Serum Alpha-fetoprotein and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin --- p.60 / Chapter IV.B. l. --- Preterm Delivery --- p.60 / Chapter IV.B.2. --- Spontaneous Preterm Delivery --- p.64 / Chapter IV.B.3. --- Premature Delivery --- p.68 / Chapter IV.B.4. --- Spontaneous Premature Delivery --- p.68 / Chapter IV.B.5. --- Other Outcomes or Complications --- p.72 / Chapter IV.B.6. --- Single Predictor for Most Adverse Outcomes --- p.74 / Chapter IV.C. --- Adjustment of Maternal Serum Alpha-fetoprotein and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin for Maternal Weight and Gestational Age --- p.75 / Chapter IV.C.1. --- Distribution of Alpha-fetoprotein and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin during Mid-trimester --- p.76 / Chapter IV.C.2. --- Adjustment of Alpha-fetoprotein for Maternal Weight and Gestational Age --- p.79 / Chapter IV.C.3. --- Adjustment of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin for Maternal Weight and Gestational Age --- p.80 / Chapter IV.D. --- Predictiveness of Alpha-fetoprotein and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin for Adverse Outcomes after Adjusted for Maternal Weight and Gestational Age --- p.83 / Chapter IV.D.l. --- Preterm Delivery --- p.86 / Chapter IV.D.2. --- Spontaneous Preterm Delivery --- p.86 / Chapter IV.D.3. --- Premature Delivery --- p.92 / Chapter IV.D.4. --- Spontaneous Premature Delivery --- p.92 / Chapter IV.D.5. --- Other Adverse Outcomes or Complications --- p.98 / Chapter IV.D.6. --- Single Predictor for Most Adverse Outcomes --- p.98 / Chapter V. --- DISCUSSIONS --- p.100 / Chapter V.A. --- Median Values of Maternal Serum Alpha-fetoprotein and Human Chorionic Gonadtrophin --- p.100 / Chapter V.B. --- Maternal Serum Alpha-fetoprotein and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin Screening for Adverse Outcomes --- p.103 / Chapter V.C. --- Adjustment of Alpha-fetoprotein and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin for Maternal Weight and Gestational Age --- p.109 / Chapter V.D. --- Predictiveness of Alpha-fetoprotein and Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin for Adverse Outcomes after Maternal Weight and Gestational Age Adjustment --- p.112 / Chapter V.E. --- Conclusions --- p.113 / Chapter V.F. --- Future Directions --- p.116 / APPENDIX 1 DATA BASE OF CLINICAL INFORMATION --- p.117 / APPENDIX 2 SEVERITY AND CLASSIFICATION OF PREGNANCY INDUCED HYPERTENSION --- p.122 / REFERENCES --- p.123