Patient's question:
Hello!My colleague is 18 weeks pregnant and had a screening for Down syndrome. The results showed an AFPMOM value of 2.043, which the doctor said is slightly elevated.
Could you please tell me which aspect of the baby this test is for, and is an elevated value a problem? Will it affect the baby? How can it be improved???
Thank you for your reply, and thank you for your hard work!!!
Doctor's answer:
AFP is alpha-fetoprotein, abbreviated as AFP. The synthesis of AFP mainly occurs in the liver of rodents and human embryos. It is the most specific marker for primary liver cancer. In patients with primary liver cancer, serum AFP levels can rise to 250 ng—6 mg/ml (even up to 9 mg/ml). A positive AFP result is of great value in the early diagnosis of liver cancer. Therefore, hepatitis B patients over 40 years old should have regular AFP tests. The normal level is less than 30 U/L, and an elevated level often suggests the presence of a tumor.