Afp Test (for ONTDs)
Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screening was originally designed to identify a fetus' risk for open neural tube defects (ONTDs). It is generally offered to all pregnant women regardless of their medical background and family history. It may be used to predict, but with less specificity, increased risk for other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Some other conditions known to be associated with increased maternal serum AFP are:
- Multiple gestations
- Incorrect gestational dating
- Miscarriage risk
- Stillbirth
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)
- Premature labor
- Premature delivery
- Oligohydraminos
- Preeclampsia
- Abruptio placentae
- Triploidy
- Fetal complications
The etiology of increased maternal serum AFP in pregnancies destined to manifest these conditions is undefined. Lab reports to physicians include patient-specific risks for open spina bifida (at a 90% detection rate) and anencephaly (at a 98% detection rate).