MEDICAL TERMINOOLGY

Question 1

AFP

Answer 1

Alpha fetal protein
A protein produced in the liver of a developing fetus. During a baby’s development, some AFP passes through the placenta and into the mother’s blood

Question 2

What AFP values mean

Answer 2

Too much or too little AFP in a mother’s blood may be sign of a birth defect or other condition.
includes:
-A neural tube defect, a serious condition that causes abnormal development of a developing baby’s brain and/or spine
-Down syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disabilities and developmental delays
Twins or multiple births, because more than one baby is producing AFP
-Miscalculation of due date, because AFP levels change during pregnancy