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Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (MSAFP) Test
Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (MSAFP) Test ( 5 Questions)
A nurse is explaining the purpose of the Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (MSAFP) test to a pregnant client.
What does this test primarily detect?
Renal anomalies are not detected by the MSAFP test. Renal anomalies are problems with the kidneys or urinary tract of the baby.
Fetal growth and development are not detected by the MSAFP test. Fetal growth and development are assessed by other prenatal tests, such as ultrasound scans.
Chromosomal abnormalities are not detected by the MSAFP test alone. Chromosomal abnormalities are genetic disorders that affect the number or structure of the chromosomes in the baby’s cells. The MSAFP test may be combined with other tests, such as hCG, estriol, and inhibin-A, to form a quadruple screening test (or quad screen) that can check the baby’s risk of chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome.
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.
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.
Choice A is wrong because renal anomalies are not detected by the MSAFP test. Renal anomalies are problems with the kidneys or urinary tract of the baby.
Choice B is wrong because fetal growth and development are not detected by the MSAFP test. Fetal growth and development are assessed by other prenatal tests, such as ultrasound scans.
Choice C is wrong because chromosomal abnormalities are not detected by the MSAFP test alone. Chromosomal abnormalities are genetic disorders that affect the number or structure of the chromosomes in the baby’s cells. The MSAFP test may be combined with other tests, such as hCG, estriol, and inhibin-A, to form a quadruple screening test (or quad screen) that can check the baby’s risk of chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome.
However, the MSAFP test by itself cannot detect these conditions.
Normal ranges for MSAFP levels vary depending on the gestational age of the baby and the laboratory that performs the test. Generally, MSAFP levels increase until about 32 weeks of pregnancy and then decrease until delivery.
The normal range for MSAFP levels at 16 weeks of pregnancy