This is a blood test that measures the amount of alpha-foeto protein (AFP) in the mother's blood and the amniotic fluid. It is generally performed in the 15th to 18th week of pregnancy. High levels of AFP could indicate that the baby has a neural tube defect (NTD). This defect manifests itself as spina bifida (deformity of the spinal column) or anencephaly (the absence of all or part of the brain). Abnormally low levels could be a sign of increased risk of Down's syndrome or other chromosomal defect. 95% of the time there is no past family history of these conditions.
How accurate is the AFP test
The drawback of this test is that abnormally high or low levels of AFP in the blood do not necessarily indicate that your baby will have a birth defect. Statistics show that while only 1 to 2 women in a 1000 have a foetus with a neural tube defect (NTD), about 50 of these women will demonstrate high levels of AFP in their blood when tested. Thus, to make a positive diagnosis, further testing such as amniocentesis and a sonogram becomes necessary. An elevated level of AFP in the amniotic fluid is associated with a 90 % chance that the foetus has NTD.
Name:
naina
Country: India
embryonic fluid is taken by the help of needlefrom mothers body technique performed at 14_18weeks of pregnancy used to diagnose alpha pheto protein assay
Name:
kapoor
Country: India
my afp came s 636 against 22 amd the ultrspumd shpwed normal s[ine and develpment pf brain and the child is abolutey normal any risk to the child or mother
Name:
Jesca
Country: usa
i recently found out that my afp was low. my dr. recommended that i see another dr. to get a level 2 u/s done. i don't remember getting this test done with my first child, could i just have low levels during pregnancy? i'm not sure if you can assist me but any further info would help. my level 2 u/s is scheduled for oct 20th. thanks for your time.
Name:
beachbabe
Country: canada
would like to read others pregancies complications
