Concentration of tumour markers CEA, AFP, alpha and beta subunits of hCG in cerebrospinal fluid in children with inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alphafetoprotein (AFP) and alpha-beta subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were determined by radio-immunoassay in CSF of 83 children presenting some central nervous disease and compared to the corresponding values obtained in 88 children without neuroinfection. CEA and alpha hCG were absent in the CSF of children without neuroinfection. CEA and alpha hCG levels in CSF higher than 0.0 ng/ml were regarded as elevated. In patients with inflammatory process of CNS, CEA values were positive in 9% (maximum 8.0 ng/ml) and alpha hCG in 4% (maximum 5.0 ng/ml). AFP in CSF ranged from 15.0 to 49.0 ng/ml in children without neuroinfection, and from 0.0 to 100.0 ng/ml in patients with inflammatory diseases of the CNS. As a normal upper limit of AFP in CSF, 53.2 ng/ml is suggested; in 31% of the patients with inflammatory diseases of CNS the AFP level was elevated. The normal upper limit of beta hCG concentration in CSF was regarded as 0.4 ng/ml; in 12% of the patients with viral meningoencephalitis the beta hCG level in CSF was slightly elevated, it ranged from 0.5 to 3.0 ng/ml.