ALFA FETO PROTEIN

Men :

• 0.5 - 5.5 IU/ml

Female :

• 0.5 -5.5 IU/ml

Pregnancy week----Range

• 14^{th Week-----}12.5 - 41.6
• 15^{th Week-----}16.6 – 45.8
• 16^{th Week-----}23.3 – 54.1
• 17^{th Week-----}25.0 – 66.6
• 18^{th Week-----}25.8 – 66.6
• 19^{th Week-----}29.1 – 83.3
• 20^{th Week-----}37.5 – 166.6
• 21^{st Week}----41.6 – 125.0

• AFP is produced by the foetus primarily in the cells of the yolk sac , GI tract and liver. AFP appears as a major serum protein in the foetus but its concentration decreases rapidly towards birth .The reappearance of elevated AFP in adult serum has been observed not only during pregnancy but also in conjunction with several benign and malignant diseases
• AFP concentrations in foetal serum decline after 2nd trimester to reach trace concentrations after birth. AFP is detectable in amniotic fluid and maternal blood at 10-12 weeks gestation. Screening of AFP should occur at 15-20 weeks gestation (optimum 16 -18 weeks), as concentrations rise rapidly at this time. A positive AFP result does not necessarily mean that a birth defect is present
• The most common cause of elevated AFP is inaccurate dating of pregnancy. A high AFP can also signal the presence of twins (50% are detected). Most important, however, are neural tube defects, present in 1-2/1000 babies. These defects include anencephaly (95% detected) and spina bifida (70-85% detected)
• Low AFP values also include inaccurate dating of pregnancy and most importantly, foetal down syndrome. AFP values are usually 30 % lower in mothers with foetus having Down syndrome, independent of the mothers age
• AFP is measured to diagnose or monitor foetal distress or foetal abnormalities , to diagnose some liver disorders and to screen for and monitor some cancers (eg: non seminomatous testicular cancer).AFP is also used as a Tumour marker for hepatoma and germ cell tumours of ovary and testes

• Used generally in combination with ßHCG and UE3 as triple marker test for evaluation of foetal well being and detection of genetic foetal defects early in pregnancy
• When there is suspicion of Hepatic, Testicular, Ovarian Cancer

• Cancer in Testes, Ovaries , Biliary Tract , Stomach , Pancreas
• Cirrhosis of liver
• Liver Cancer
• Malignant Teratoma
• Recovery from Hepatitis
• Ataxia Telangiectasia
• Hereditary Tyrosinemia

Increasd levels during Pregnancy Indicates :

• Foetal defects
• Spina Bifida
• Anencephaly
• Omphalocele
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Duodenal Atresia
• Turners Syndrome
• Intra Uterine Death

• Normal Persons after first few weeks of life
• Various types of cirrhosis and hepatitis in adults
• Seminoma of Testis
• Choriocarcinoma , Adenocarcinoma and dermoid cyst of ovary.
• Foetal Down syndrome