Alpha-Fetoprotein
Introduction
The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test is a test that is performed during pregnancy of maternal blood or fetal amniotic fluid at 16-19 weeks of gestation. The amniotic test is more invasive than the maternal blood test. The protein is synthesized by yolk sac and liver of the fetus and is also expressed in the adult in some liver cancers.
Abnormal amounts of the protein may indicate genetic or developmental problems in the fetus.
Low levels of AFP normally occur in the blood of a pregnant woman.
High levels may indicate neural tube defects (spina bifida, anencephaly), the neural tube defect allows AFP to leak through into the amniotic fluid.
This test can also be used in non-pregnacy testing of clinical conditions (including liver cancer).
Alternative name- Fetal alpha globulin
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Cite this page: Hill, M.A. (2024, May 11) Embryology Alpha-Fetoprotein. Retrieved from https://embryology.med.unsw.edu.au/embryology/index.php/Alpha-Fetoprotein
- © Dr Mark Hill 2024, UNSW Embryology ISBN: 978 0 7334 2609 4 - UNSW CRICOS Provider Code No. 00098G
