Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screenAlpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein that is normally produced by the fetus' liver. AFP is present in the fluid around the fetus (amniotic fluid) and a small amount crosses the placenta and moves into the mother's blood stream. As the baby grows and produces more AFP, the amount in the mother's blood increases. Between weeks 15 and 20 of a pregnancy, a maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) screen will be offered. It's usually as part of a set of tests, which screen for genetic problems, called the triple screen or quad screen. The AFP blood test determines how much AFP is in the mother's blood. The other tests measure the levels of other pregnancy hormones, including estriol, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and for the quad screen, inhibin A. The quantity of AFP that is considered normal depends upon many variables, including age, weight, race, and week of pregnancy, therefore accurate dating is important. Insulin-dependent diabetes also influences AFP levels. Of those women whose tests show high or low levels of AFP, only two or three in 100 will have a child with a birth defect. This test is offered to all pregnant women. You may choose to have this test if you want to know if your baby is at high risk for certain birth defects. You may want to take an MSAFP test before considering ultrasound, chorionic villus sampling (CVS), or amniocentesis. What Will Happen? An MSAFP screen involves a simple blood draw from the mother’s vein. Results are usually available in one to two weeks. Up to 10% of results are positive, meaning you have high- or low-AFP levels. With a positive AFP, additional tests will be suggested to help determine the cause.
It's important to remember that an MSAFP is a screening test only; it does not detect or diagnose birth defects. The majority of women who take this test receive normal, or negative, results. Frequently Asked Questions Q: What are some of the benefits and risks of having this test?A: A potential benefit is that the screening results may lead to the early detection of a developmental abnormality in the fetus. Early identification of any problem allows you and your health-care team crucial time to explore treatment options, ensuring the utmost safety of your pregnancy and delivery. With normal test results, you may benefit from the assurance that your baby does not appear to be at high risk for certain abnormalities. On the other hand, if the test reveals a positive AFP result, you risk experiencing anxiety as well as more invasive testing to determine the cause, even though most of the time the positive results do not indicate a birth defect. Review Date: 2/24/2007  A.D.A.M.'s health encyclopedia is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation Healthcare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch). The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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 Encouragement + An Assist = Success Nine days past her due date, Sara Howe was awakened at 3:00AM when her water broke. Thrilled that the long wait was finally over, Sara and her husband David packed up and headed to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center. By 5:00AM they were comfortably settled into one of PeaceHealth Southwest’s Labor Delivery Recovery and Postpartum rooms, ready for action. But four hours later, Sara contractions had still not progressed so her midwife started her on Pitocin. Soon the contractions kicked in and Sara was well on her way. At around eight o’clock the next morning, it was time for Sara to start pushing. So she pushed. And she pushed, and she pushed, and she pushed. "The first few hours of pushing went by without me realizing the time," remarked Sara. "But around the fourth hour I started to wonder if I was still making progress. That is when the encouragement of my midwife, husband and the PeaceHealth Southwest nursing staff kept me going. It was like I had my own cheering section." Unfortunately, even with all the support and encouragement, Sara’s labor was not progressing because her baby’s head was tilted in the birth canal. Neither Sara or her midwife wanted her to have a Cesarean section after all that work, so her midwife suggested an assisted delivery. Read more > Share your story. Submit your story with a local angle, and you could receive a free gift if it is selected for publication. |
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