alpha fetoprotein的意思|示意

Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is a glycoprotein that is produced by the developing embryo, the yolk sac, and the fetal liver. It is a very important protein in terms of prenatal diagnosis and is a common indicator used in the detection of Down syndrome and other congenital malformations.

Alpha fetoprotein can be used to detect neural tube defects (NTDs) in early pregnancy, typically between 15 and 21 weeks' gestation. During this procedure, a sample of the mother's blood is taken and a test is performed to measure AFP levels. If levels are higher than normal, this may indicate a possible NTD in the fetus.

In addition to its use in the detection of fetal abnormalities, AFP can also be used to monitor the development of the fetus and monitor maternal health during pregnancy. AFP levels can also be used to estimate the gestational age of the fetus, meaning how many weeks the baby has been in the womb.

A low level of AFP may indicate a female fetus with Turner syndrome. High levels of AFP may indicate the presence of multiple fetuses or fetal abnormalities like Down syndrome, trisomy 18, or spina bifida.

Alpha fetoprotein levels may also be tested to identify certain tumors in adults. AFP, along with other tumor markers, can be used to detect the presence of liver, stomach, and ovarian cancers, as well as testicular germ cell tumors.