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Shall I go with AFP test? 5 months pregnant?
(April 20, 2010)
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When the baby is in the mothers’ womb its liver secretes a protein called AFP also known as Alpha-Fetoprotein. This protein is passed out in the mothers’ blood. The Alphafetoprotein test is done to find out if the baby has a neural tube infection or Down syndrome. This test can also help indicate if the baby has any other defects such as duodenal and esophageal atresia, any abdominal wall defects or any renal and urinary tract diseases like turner syndrome. There could also be the presence of some low birth weight fetuses, and placental complications which the test would confirm. In order to conduct this test, blood is drawn from the mother any time between the 15th to16th weeks of the pregnancy however a sample from amniotic fluid can also be used for testing. This test is not considered a diagnosis. It is only used to test any abnormalities or birth defects.
A College in America that specializes in the field of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated that all pregnant women, irrespective of the maternal age should be offered this test. Many women believe the test is mandatory. The age of the fetus is important when conducting this test because the normal ranges of Alpha FetoProtein will vary depending on the age of the fetus. So if the doctor needs to check if the values are at a normal range, the knowledge of the exact age is important. Women who have irregular menstrual cycles or a cycle that is either longer or shorter than 28 days will find it difficult to determine the exact age of the fetus without doing an ultrasound.
If your doctor notices that you have abnormal Alpha FetoProtein levels he will immediately request an ultrasound in order to recalculate the age of the fetus. Very often this recalculated age is sufficient evidence to rule out the earlier results. If the AFP levels are high then it indicates that there is a neural tube defect such as spina bifida. Generally women who are carrying twins tend to have higher levels of AFP. A low level of AFP indicates genetic defects and higher risks of Down syndrome. The test results are usually read as positive or negative or given a ranking such as a high or a low ranking. Always remember that if you are at an increased risk don’t assume that your baby has some birth defect. You must always consult your doctor who will help you understand and will explain the test results in detail to you.
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Submitted by M T on April 20, 2010 at 11:39
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