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Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is the major protein found in fetal serum,
similar in size and several other characteristics to albumin in adult blood.
AFP is not normally present in adult blood.
During pregnancy, even though the maternal and fetal blood streams are
separate, small amounts of AFP leak into the maternal system, the amount
varying with the gestational age.
If unusually large amounts of AFP are found in the maternal blood stream
(>2.5 MOM or Multiples of the Mean), this may indicate:
- Fetal neural tube defect, such as spina bifida, anencephaly, or
encephalocele
- Malformation of the fetal GI tract
- Malformation of the fetal abdominal wall
- Normal twin pregnancy
Elevations found in:
- Any traumatic injury to any of these structures.
- Any disease affecting one of these structures.
- Cirrhosis (Large increase)
- Liver metastasis (Large increase)
- Liver abscess (Large increase)
- Obstructed bile duct (Large increase)
- Bone cancers (Large increase)
- Hepatitis (Moderate increase)
- Hepatitis (Moderate increase)
- Pancreatitis (Moderate increase)
- Infectious mononucleosis
- Hyperparathyroidism
Decreased amounts found in:
- Malnutrition
- Hypothyroidism
- Pernicious anemia
- Vitamin C deficiency
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Normal Values*
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Serum |
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Women |
None |
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Pregnancy |
Varies with Gestational Age |
*These are general values taken from a variety of
sources. The actual normal values may vary from lab to lab and from one
type of testing protocol to another.
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Source:
Operational Medicine 2001, Health
Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau
of Medicine and Surgery, Department
of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300
OB-GYN 101:
Introductory Obstetrics & Gynecology
© 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008
Medical Education Division,
Brookside Associates, Ltd.
All rights reserved
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