Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) refers to the presence of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), a protein typically produced by the fetus, in a pregnant woman's bloodstream. This protein, primarily generated in the fetal liver and gastrointestinal tract, as well as the yolk sac during early development, serves as a key marker for several diagnostic tests.In a fetus, AFP levels are high but decrease significantly after birth, becoming almost undetectable by the age of one. During pregnancy, AFP crosses the placenta and can be measured in the mother's blood, providing important screening information for conditions such as open neural tube defects (like anencephaly and spina bifida) and chromosomal abnormalities including Down syndrome.In cases of open neural tube defects, MSAFP levels are typically elevated, whereas they tend to be lower in pregnancies affected by Down syndrome (trisomy 21). After the first year of life, AFP production is virtually non-existent unless stimulated by certain liver conditions. For instance, it may increase due to viral infections or liver cirrhosis and is also produced by primary liver cancers (hepatomas) and specific germ cell tumors like teratocarcinoma and embryonal cell carcinomas. As a result, measuring a person's serum AFP can assist in diagnosing these conditions and monitoring their treatment.
