What does positive AFP test mean?
A positive AFP PLUS test means that you are in a higher likelihood group for having a baby with a neural tube defect or a chromosome abnormality. However, it does not prove by itself that there is anything wrong with the pregnancy.
How accurate is AFP screening?
75% to 90% of babies with neural tube #defects are discovered through AFP screening. Abnormal test results warrant additional testing for making a diagnosis.
What is a normal AFP value in pregnancy?
Alpha-fetoprotein levels in men and non-pregnant women vary for age and race but mostly range from 0 ng/ml to 40 ng/ml. Maternal AFP levels in pregnancy start to rise from about 14th week of gestation up until about 32 weeks gestation. Between week 15 and 20 weeks, levels usually range between 10 ng/ml to 150 ng/ml.
What is normal AFP mom in pregnancy?
Results are given in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Here is the normal range: For adults: less than 40 ng/mL. At 15 to 21 weeks’ gestation: 10 to 150 ng/mL.
How common is high AFP in pregnancy?
There are approximately 25 to 50 abnormal test AFP results for every 1,000 pregnancies tested. Of these abnormal results, only 1 in 16 to 1 in 33 will actually have a baby that has been affected by a neural tube defect or other condition.
What cancers cause elevated liver enzymes?
The following conditions must be considered in cases where the liver enzyme elevation pattern is cholestatic.
- Biliary obstruction of large ducts (Figure 7) as is the case in common bile duct stones, chronic pancreatitis, cholangiocarcinoma, and pancreatic cancer.
- Primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) – especially in women.
Is AFP part of liver function test?
Explanation of test results: A high level of AFP might mean that a patient has liver cancer. However, sometimes the AFP is high when there is active liver disease but no cancer. Usually, the AFP test needs to be interpreted by a doctor in combination with pictures of the liver taken with ultrasound or CT scan.
What can cause elevated AFP in pregnancy?
Causes of elevated AFP are: Neural Tube Defects: Neural tube defects include both spina bifida (improper closure of the fetal spine) and anencephaly (improper closure of the fetal skull). Individuals with spina bifida can have variable problems as a result of the birth defect.
How do I know if my baby has spina bifida?
During pregnancy, a blood test called alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) can tell if a woman has a higher risk of having a baby with spina bifida. A prenatal ultrasound or fetal MRI can show whether a baby has it. If it’s not diagnosed during pregnancy, sometimes the condition is seen right away when the baby is born.