Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP)
High with open neural tube defects such as anencephaly and spina bifida (meningomyelocele); and
Low with Down syndrome (trisomy 21, an extra chromosome number 21).
Alpha-fetoprotein production is essentially zero after a year of age. However, it increases again under the stimulus of some liver diseases. It may, for example, be produced by viral hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. Alpha-fetoprotein is also made by primary liver tumors (hepatomas) and by germ cell tumors (teratocarcinoma and embryonal cell carcinomas). A person’s serum alpha-fetoprotein level can therefore be used to help detect these conditions and monitor their cirrhosis of the liver. Alpha-fetoprotein is also made by primary liver tumors (hepatomas) and by germ cell tumors (teratocarcinoma and embryonal cell carcinomas). A person’s serum alpha-fetoprotein level can therefore be used to help detect these conditions and monitor their treatment.
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