What is Alpha-Fetoprotein
The most abundant plasma protein found in the human fetus is alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). AFP is a protein normally made by the immature liver cells in the fetus. Healthy, nonpregnant adults have very low levels of AFP in the bloodstream (undetectable to about 10 ng/ml). At birth, infants have relatively high levels of AFP in the blood, which fall to normal low adult levels by the first year of life. During a baby's development, some AFP passes through the placenta and into the mother's blood. An AFP test measures the level of AFP in pregnant women during the second trimester of pregnancy. Too much or too little AFP in a mother's blood may be sign of a birth defect or other condition. These include:
A neural tube defect, a serious condition that causes abnormal development of a developing baby's brain and/or spine
Down syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disabilities and developmental delays
Twins or multiple births, because more than one baby is producing AFP
Miscalculation of due date, because AFP levels change during pregnancy
Why need to order AFP Blood Test During Pregnancy?
An AFP blood test is used to check a developing fetus for risk of birth defects and genetic disorders, such as neural tube defects or Down syndrome.Unborn babies normally make alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and it shows up in their mother's blood. Checking the level of AFP in a mom-to-be can show if her baby may have problems with their neural tube, what will become the brain and spinal cord.AFP is one of the blood tests you have in a triple screen or quad screen. You can choose to get an AFP test or not. A genetic counselor can help you decide.A negative or normal test usually means your baby oeds not have genetic abnormalities.A positive test with a high AFP suggests a birth defect like spina bifida. That's typically a result of 2.5 times or more than the "average" level of AFP you'd expect to see at that point in your pregnancy.A positive test with low AFP could mean a problem like Down syndrome or Edwards syndrome.
What tests measure AFP?
Several assays (tests) for measuring AFP in the blood (serum) are available to laboratories. Generally, normal levels of AFP are below 10 ng/ml. People with various types of acute and chronic liver diseases without documentable liver cancer can have mild or even moderate elevations of AFP, though usually less than 500 ng/ml.Alpha-Fetoprotein, Tumor Marker -Elevation of serum AFP above values found in healthy individuals occurs in several malignant diseases, most notably nonseminomatous testicular cancer and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. AFP is not recommended as a screening procedure to detect cancer in the general population.Looking for "where to get blood pregnancy test?". Use Tuhealthy App to find pregnancy test clinics near me.
