Decoding the results of blood tests on AFP during pregnancy.
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Blood test on AFP during pregnancy
Analysis on alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is carried out for prenatal (prenatal) diagnostics of pathologies of pregnancy and fetus. The definition of Mother's Blood AFP allows you to monitor the development of the embryo and the course of pregnancy. The study is prescribed by a gynecologist.
AFP when carrying a child is synthesized with a yellow body and in the yolk bag of the embryo, and in the later timing — Future liver.
Alpha fetoprotein performs a number of important functions:
- transfer of beneficial substances and hormones in the fetal body;
- maintaining the pressure of blood plasma;
- Suppression of the immune system of the fetus (warning of the immune conflict mother — child);
- Transfer of high molecular compounds through a placenta.
Units of measurement in the results of analyzes — IU / ml or ng / ml.
Norma AFP in pregnant women: for a period of up to 12 weeks — up to 15 me / ml, 24 weeks — 27-125 me / ml, 32 weeks — 100-250 me / ml.
Increasing the level of AFP in the blood of a woman who is carrying a child may be a sign of a number of pathologies:
- Defect for the development of the nervous system in the fetus;
- multiple pregnancy;
- Atresia (infection) of the esophagus and the small intestine;
- kidney and urinary tract development anomalies;
- intrauterine fetal liver damage;
- hernia and anomalies of the front abdominal wall;
- Sherosezhevsky-Turner Syndrome.
Reducing the level of AFP in blood — Possible feature of the following pathologies:
- Down syndrome;
- Edwards syndrome;
- undeveloping pregnancy;
- intrauterine fetal death;
- delay in the development of the fetus;
- threatening spontaneous abortion;
- Bubble drift.
Analyzes do not have absolute value, but only suggest pathology. For accurate diagnostics requires a number of additional tests and research.
