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Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (MSAFP) Test

  • MSAFP is a prenatal screening test that measures the level of AFP in the pregnant person’s blood as part of a multiple marker test
  • MSAFP can detect neural tube defects such as spina bifida or anencephaly by measuring the level of AFP in the maternal serum
  • MSAFP can also detect other fetal anomalies such as abdominal wall defects, renal anomalies, chromosomal abnormalities, .
  • MSAFP is usually performed between 15 and 20 weeks of gestation along with other markers such as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), unconjugated estriol (uE3), and inhibin A
  • MSAFP involves drawing a blood sample from the pregnant person’s arm and sending it to a laboratory for analysis
    • MSAFP results are reported as multiples of the median (MoM), which compare the measured level of AFP to the expected level for a given gestational age
    • A high level of MSAFP (>2.5 MoM) may indicate a neural tube defect, an abdominal wall defect, a fetal demise, or a multiple gestation

    • A low level of MSAFP (<0.5 MoM) may indicate a chromosomal abnormality such as Down syndrome, trisomy 18, or trisomy 13
    • MSAFP results are affected by factors such as maternal weight, diabetes mellitus, race, ethnicity, .
    • MSAFP results are not diagnostic and require further evaluation such as ultrasound, amniocentesis, or karyotyping
    • MSAFP has no risks or complications for the pregnant person or the fetus

Questions on Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (MSAFP) Test

Correct Answer is D

Explanation

This is because the Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (MSAFP) test primarily detects the level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the blood of a pregnant person. AFP is a protein that a developing baby makes and normally passes into the mother’s bloodstream. Too much AFP may indicate that the baby has a neural tube defect or an abdominal wall defect, which are conditions that cause abnormal development of the baby’s body. An abdominal wall defect is a hole in the muscles and skin that cover the abdomen, which allows some of the baby’s organs to protrude outside the body.

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

wrong

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

Multiple gestation or having more than one fetus can also cause low levels of MSAFP, not high levels. Multiple gestation increases the risk of complications such as preterm labor, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction.

“Pregnant individuals should avoid the MSAFP test due to potential radiation exposure.” This statement is wrong because the MSAFP test does not involve any radiation exposure. It is a simple blood test that uses a needle to draw blood from a vein.

MSAFP results do not indicate the gestational age of the fetus. They are compared to the average level for women of the same gestational age to calculate the MoM value. Gestational age can be estimated by other methods, such as ultrasound or last menstrual period.
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