AFP-norm during pregnancy

The period of pregnancy is one of the most beautiful, but at the same time very exciting for a woman, because she is responsible for the health and proper development of the unborn child. In order to respond in time to changes in the development of the fetus, doctors prescribe a huge number of tests from which the future mother's head is spinning. Despite this, I want to control the results myself and know what happens to the unborn baby.

One of the tests that make nervous many pregnant women is the analysis of AFP ( alfa-fetoprotein). He is appointed to identify defects that may occur in the development of the fetus. The embryo begins the production of alfa-fetoprotein from about 5 weeks. Until this time it is a function of a woman's ovaries. By 13-16 weeks, the AFP level in the blood reaches the optimal amount for the diagnosis. Therefore, it is during this period that AFP analysis is assigned. The rate of pregnancy for this analysis depends on the timing: the longer the period, the greater the allowable value.

AFP-norm at pregnancy on 14 - 15 week - 26,0 - 30 IU / ml; At 16-18 weeks - 34-48 IU / ml; 19-20 week - 50-57 IU / ml.

An AFP analysis is performed during pregnancy using the blood sampling method from the vein, and the time from the last meal should be at least 6 hours, it is better to take the test in the morning on an empty stomach. That the result does not turn out to be distorted, it is recommended to adhere to a diet for three days before taking blood: do not eat fatty, salty, eggs, brightly colored fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, berries, dairy products, stop taking vitamins.

The waiting time for the results of the AFP analysis can vary from a week to three, depending on the laboratory base of the clinic. Not every medical institution has the necessary equipment, and in some cases the blood has to be sent to other laboratories, which increases the waiting time for the result.

What can AFP tell you about pregnancy?

  If the result is below the norm, then it can indicate a low placenta, obesity, hypothyroidism, diabetes in a future mother, the possibility of developing a Down syndrome or a delay in development in a child.

If the result is higher than normal, this may indicate abnormalities in the development of the nervous system, such as a partial absence of brain tissue or the entire brain, softening of the spine, which as a result can lead to paralysis.

Also exceeding the norm AFP may indicate a threat of miscarriage, malnutrition, Rh-conflict, kidney pathology, liver necrosis, umbilical hernia or even possible fetal death.

AFP-norm during pregnancy for everyone is different and depends on many factors. Therefore, having obtained a result that appears to be anomalous, one should not immediately panic. Perhaps the doctor has incorrectly determined the duration of pregnancy or the future mother suffers by increasing the level of AFP in the blood of diseases, and maybe, in general, instead of the putative one, the embryo has several. These and some other reasons can provoke a false positive result. According to statistics, out of 100 AFP who have been tested, the pregnancy rate is only detected in 20. The remaining 80 are sent for consultation to a geneticist and other qualified specialists. They will analyze in detail the health of the mother and various factors that could affect the inflated or underestimated levels of AFP in the blood. Also will be sent for additional blood tests and ultrasound. And only one pregnant woman out of 80 can have real complications in fetal development.

It should also be remembered that a doctor can not diagnose AFP on the basis of one analysis, therefore a triple analysis is assigned to obtain accurate results, which includes studies of AFP, hCG and E3.