α-Fetoprotein (AFP), Maternal Serum for Open Spina Bifida

Also known as: AFP, Maternal Serum, Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP), Maternal Serum for Open Spina Bifida, Maternal Serum α-Fetoprotein, msAFP

Clinical Use

Order Test

Use

Screening test for open neural tube defects. Detects 80% of open spina bifida and 90% of anencephaly. Please note that this test does not provide screening for Down syndrome or trisomy 18.

Special Instructions

Not provided.

Limitations

This is a screening test and does not confirm the presence of neural tube defects. A positive result prompts additional diagnostic testing. It does not screen for Down syndrome or trisomy 18 and cannot detect closed neural tube defects.

Test Details

Methodology

Immunoassay (CLIA)

Biomarkers

α-Fetoprotein (AFP)

Analyte

AFP Value

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

AFP MoM

Concentration / Level • Quantitative (Continuous) (e.g., copies/mL, % expression)

LOINC Codes

Order Codes

48802-3 - AFP Pnl SerPl

Result Codes

31993-9 - AFP SerPl Ql
41274-2 - AFP Interp SerPl-Imp
18185-9 - GA
21299-3 - GA method
43993-5 - Age at delivery
21484-1 - Mother's race
29463-7 - Weight
44877-9 - IDDM Patient Ql
45371-2 - Multiple Pregnancy
1834-1 - AFP SerPl-mCnc
20450-3 - AFP MoM SerPl
48803-1 - Neural tube defect risk Fetus
49246-2 - AFP Interp SerPl-Imp
8251-1 - Service Cmnt-Imp
8262-8 - Service Cmnt 02-Imp
11502-2 - Laboratory report

Result Turnaround Time

2-5 days

Specimen

Serum

Volume

3 mL

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Container

Gel-barrier tube

Collection Instructions

Collect in serum separator tube with gel barrier. Allow blood to clot, avoiding hemolysis. Separate serum from cells by centrifugation. Transport spun tube to testing laboratory. Pour-off is not advised. Maternal serum specimens must be drawn prior to amniocentesis to avoid contamination with fetal blood.