aetiology
Last reviewed 01/2018
Can be caused by:
- open neural tube defects
- gastroschisis and anterior abdominal wall defects
- renal defects e.g. congenital nephrotic syndrome
- bleeding in early pregnancy - even if the pregnancy does not end in miscarriage
- intrauterine death
- benign causes include twins, wrong dates, thin mother
Raised AFP is also used as a marker of malignancy:
- hepatocellular carcinoma
- choriocarcinoma
- testicular teratoma
It may also be raised in conditions such as autoimmune chronic active hepatitis.