During pregnancy, a woman has to undergo different tests to ensure the health of the mother and the baby. The Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Test is among the important blood tests that pregnant women must undergo. The AFP test is a necessary blood test that measures the alpha-fetoprotein level in the blood of a pregnant woman. By doing this test, you will get to know the chance of the baby having genetic health problems and birth defects. This test has to be done during the 16 to 22 weeks of pregnancy.
If you are looking forward to undergoing an AFP test, we provide an Alpha-Fetoprotein serum test at Agilus Diagnostics. You can book an appointment at our site, locating our nearest diagnostic centre.
Let’s discuss the Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Test in detail to understand its technique and results;
Overview of Alpha-Fetoprotein Test
Alpha Fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein which is made in the liver of a baby. The protein is found in the fluid known as amniotic fluid, which surrounds the baby inside the womb. It moves through the placenta and goes into the mother's blood. The blood test is also known as MSAFP (maternal serum AFP). The AFP level can also be measured from the amniotic fluid, which is also known as AFAFP.
In general, some amount of Alpha Fetoprotein passes from the baby into the mother's blood, as discussed above. During such conditions, the baby's body will start releasing less or more AFP. During the period of pregnancy, if the level of AFP is lower or higher than the normal range, here are the potential risks;
The baby may have a high risk of having a genetic health disorder, such as:
- Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that leads to intellectual disabilities and other health issues for a lifetime.
- A neural tube defect condition is extremely serious and leads to abnormal development of a developing baby’s spine and brain.
Techniques of Alpha-Fetoprotein Test | How Does It Work?
For an AFP test, a certain amount of blood will be drawn. It is an outpatient procedure usually performed at the diagnostic lab. You can book the test at our diagnostic centre, and the results will be sent to you on time. We also prioritise convenience, so our service offers online test booking for home sample collection. The procedure usually takes a few minutes, and it is painless. Moreover, the patient does not need any special preparation to undergo an AFP test.
The professional lab specialist will use a small needle to withdraw blood from your vein. The blood is drawn from your arm. Under the supervision of the specialist, the test will be analysed. Results are delivered online to the patient on the same day.
What Is Detected From The AFP Test?
Below are the things detected from the AFP Test, which is a genetic test while pregnant
- Genetic health conditions such as Turner syndrome or Down syndrome.
- Identification of twins or triplets.
- Incorrect due dates.
- Defects in neural tube defects like spina bifida or anencephaly.
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Abdominal wall defects of the baby
What Does The AFP Test Results Mean?
The normal range of AFP in a woman who is not pregnant is less than 10 nanograms/ml of blood. When the AFP level is higher than the normal range, but you are not pregnant, this indicates chances of liver diseases or cancers.
If you are pregnant and have higher AFP levels than the normal range, this will indicate that your developing baby is having a neural tube defect. However, the most common cause of higher AFP levels is due to the incorrect pregnancy date. In general, the levels of AFP will vary during the pregnancy period. Also, the test result can be inaccurate if you are pregnant for a very short or longer period of time.
When you are in your pregnancy period with a lower level of AFP, this indicates that your baby is developing a chromosomal abnormality, such as Edwards syndrome or Down syndrome. You might have an abnormal range of AFP levels due to twins or triplets. Also, in some situations, an abnormal AFP index can be due to foetal death.
If you find your test results are abnormal, it does not always mean that the baby is having a birth defect. This indicates that the doctor has to proceed further to perform some additional tests for a proper diagnosis to find out the cause. The doctor will ask you to perform another Alpha-Fetoprotein Test, which will be followed by an ultrasound or scan for pregnant women to capture images of the developing foetus.
The doctor may also ask for a more invasive test, like amniocentesis if the results are still abnormal. In this process, the specialist will use a needle in order to remove a certain amount of amniotic fluid from the womb for analysis.
When You Need To Undergo An Alpha-Fetoprotein Test?
When you are pregnant, an AFP test is usually advised between the 16th and 22nd week of pregnancy period. For this, you need to know after how many days pregnancy can be confirmed. It is confirmed after an at-home test that is as early as 10 days after conception. The doctor will recommend you undergo the test specifically if you are;
- Having a family history of genetic disorders or birth defects
- 35 years or above
- Having diabetes
- Using medicines which can cause harm to your baby
Also Read: Important Tips for a healthy pregnancy
What Is The Accuracy Rate Of The Alpha-Fetoprotein Test?
The alpha-fetoprotein blood test is the necessary initial test to detect neural tube defects or genetic disorders. It was found that up to 9 out of 10 foetuses were diagnosed with the detection of neural tubes with the help of the AFP test. The test also detected abnormalities. It is necessary for a pregnant woman to undergo this test during the advised week.
Book Your Alpha-Fetoprotein Test At Our Diagnostic Centre!
Do you want to undergo the Alpha-Fetoprotein Test? Book an online appointment from our site. You can find our diagnostic centre near your location. After the sample is collected and analysed, your results will be delivered online. To book your AFP test, visit the site now!
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
