A form of albumin (a protein in the blood) produced only by the fetus, but crosses the placenta and so is detectable in the mother's blood (measured with a serum alpha fetoprotein, as well as being usefully measured in amniotic fluid obtained by amniocentesis. Detectable in higher than usual concentration with certain open abnormalities involving the fetus's brain and spinal cord (namely anencephaly and spina bifida). Present in lower than usual concentration when there is a trisomyin the fetus, such as Down syndrome (or trisomy 21), trisomy 18 or possibly Klinefelter syndrome -- screening for all of which can be done with a triple test.
A substance produced by the fetus. High levels in a mother's blood can indicate a neural tube defect or multiple pregnancy.
an abnormally large amount of this fetoprotein in the fetus can signal an abnormality of the neural tube (as spina bifida or anencephaly)
fetal protein normally found in very small amounts in the mother's blood. The mother's blood level of AFP may be measured at about 15-16 weeks' gestation; it is usually raised when the fetus has spina bifida, and with a twin pregnancy; it is often decreased when the fetus has Down syndrome.
a protein produced by certain malignant tumours eg. Hepocellular Carcinoma. It's estimation is sometimes used as a marker for the diagnosis of these tumours or their recurrence. It can show up also in benign liver conditions.
A protein in the blood of the growing fetus. It is also present in amniotic fluid and in the mother's blood. Elevated levels may indicate that the baby has a neural tube defect such as spina bifida.
a protein produced by the baby that can be measured prenatally, by taking a tube of your blood, to identify possible neural tube disorders and other potential problems, such as Down's Syndrome or anencephaly. A similar test is the triple screen. These tests are not really "positive" or "negative" but rather give you a risk profile for neural tube disorders, Down's Syndrome, etc.
This is a protein produced by the baby which is also found in the amniotic fluid and crosses into the mother’s blood. The level of AFP can be checked in a sample of the mother’s blood, and used for antenatal screening. Unexpectedly high or low levels can be an indication of certain conditions such as spina bifida or Down’s syndrome.
A tumor marker found in blood. Increased AFP level may indicate the presence of certain types of testicular tumors, liver cancer (hepatoma), or other GI tumors.