False-positive amniotic fluid acetylcholinesterase results: the need for a multifacet approach to the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects

Two cases are presented with false-positive amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase results for the prenatal diagnosis of neural tube defects. Stage II ultrasound revealed no lesions of the fetal spine in both cases. The alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase results returned to normal on subsequent taps. Both pregnancies resulted in normal outcomes. A protocol is presented for managing pregnancies with abnormal alpha-fetoprotein and acetylcholinesterase results.