what is alpha fetoprotein ?
June 15, 2010 by pregnancy life
Alpha Fetoprotein (APF) is a substance produced by an unborn baby as it grows inside its mother’s uterus. A baby has the highest alpha fetaprotein level of any human. After birth APF levels decrease and reach a steady low level when the baby is about one year old. The function of APF in a fetus is to bind with the hormone estradiol. Testing for APF can indicate such pregnancy complications as spina bifida and ancephaly.
