AFP for Neural Tube Defects
Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) screening was originally designed to identify a mother’s risk for open neural tube defects (ONTD). 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 gestation
- 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. There may exist a relationship to aberrant placental perfusion as seen in patients with hypertensive disorders and diabetes mellitus – patients also known to be at increased risk for these same conditions. Lab reports to physicians should include patient-specific risks for open spina bifada (90% detection) and anencephaly (98% detection).
For more information about NTD Labs’ AFP screening program, call NTD Labs at 1-888-NTD-LABS or email: ntdlabs@perkinelmer.com.