Medical Dictionary – The definition of Alpha Feto Protein
Alpha feto protein or AFP is a form of protein which is usually formed in the yolk sac of the fetus and the liver and commonly can be found in the serum of the fetus and in the maternal blood. Maternal alpha feto protein (AFP) is useful as an indicator in the prenatal screening test which performed in the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. Alpha feto protein are elevated in the open abdominal wall defects such as in gastrochisis, open neural tube defects such as in spina bifida, multiple pregnancy and fetal death.
The level of alpha feto proteinis affected by the weight of the mother and the length of gestation. Any abnormally value should be followed by additional test such as ultrasound.
Alpha fetoprotein is also considered in detecting the present of tumor such as hepatomas and teratomas.
Alpha feto protein or AFP is a form of protein which is usually formed in the yolk sac of the fetus and the liver and commonly can be found in the serum of the fetus and in the maternal blood. Maternal alpha feto protein (AFP) is useful as an indicator in the prenatal screening test which performed in the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. Alpha feto protein are elevated in the open abdominal wall defects such as in gastrochisis, open neural tube defects such as in spina bifida, multiple pregnancy and fetal death.
The level of alpha feto proteinis affected by the weight of the mother and the length of gestation. Any abnormally value should be followed by additional test such as ultrasound.
Alpha fetoprotein is also considered in detecting the present of tumor such as hepatomas and teratomas.