al·pha-fe·to·pro·tein ( l f -f t -pr tn, -t- n)n. Abbr. AFP An antigen produced in the liver of a fetus that can appear in certain diseases of adults, such as liver cancer. Its level in amniotic fluid can be used in the detection of certain fetal abnormalities, including Down syndrome and spina bifida. |
alpha-fetoprotein [ˌælfəˌfiːtəʊˈprəʊtiːn]
n
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) a protein that forms in the liver of the human fetus. Excessive quantities in the amniotic fluid and maternal blood may indicate spina bifida in the fetus; low levels may point to Down's syndrome Abbreviation afp
| alpha-fetoprotein (lf-ft-prtn) An antigen produced in the liver of a fetus that can appear in certain diseases of adults, such as liver cancer. Its level in amniotic fluid can be used in the detection of certain fetal abnormalities, including Down syndrome and spina bifida. |
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