Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP, α-fetoprotein; also sometimes called alpha-1-fetoprotein, alpha-fetoglobulin, or alpha fetal protein) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the AFP gene.

In pregnant women, fetal AFP levels can be monitored in urine. Since AFP is quickly cleared from the mother’s serum via her kidneys, maternal urine AFP correlates with fetal serum levels, although the maternal urine level is much lower than the fetal serum level. AFP levels rise until about week 32.

The normal range of AFP for adults and children is variously reported as under 50, under 10, and under 5 ng/mL. At birth, normal infants have AFP levels 4 or more orders of magnitude above this normal range, that decreases to a normal range over the first year of life.

Alpha-fetoprotein. (2016, July 31). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 07:46, July 31, 2016, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alpha-fetoprotein&oldid=732335520

 

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