Alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) is a substance that is made in the liver of an unborn baby. This substance is also found in fetal gastrointestinal (GI) tract as well as in the yolk sac. The AFP level significantly goes down after the baby is born, and is nearly untraceable a year after birth.

However, the AFP level in mother’s blood may indicate some health disorders in the baby. For example, it may indicate whether the baby may have some problems, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. It is also an indicative of various other disorders, such as open neural tube defects, Down syndrome, and chromosome deformities.

The production of AFP can also shoot up during some prominent liver diseases, such as viral hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. This happens because AFP is primarily made of liver tumors, such as hepatomas and germ cell tumors, such as teratocarcinoma and embryonal cell carcinomas. Thus, measuring the serum AFP level of a person can help in identifying these circumstances and track their treatment. Hence, there exist two types of AFP tests, the one performed on the serum, and the other perfomed on amniotic fluid of an expecting mother.

The AFP test also helps in detecting the brain or spinal problems in the fetus. This test is performed between fourth and sixth month of pregnancy. In addition, this test is performed to ascertain whether the unborn baby is having Down syndrome. In some cases, the AFP test helps in detecting cancer of testicles, liver, and ovaries. This test also helps in checking if a person is responding well to the cancer treatment.