Congenital deficiency of alpha-fetoprotein.

Greenberg, F; Faucett, A; Rose, E; Bancalari, L; Kardon, N B; Mizejewski, G; Haddow, J E; Alpert, E · Am J Obstet Gynecol · 1992

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Although alpha-fetoprotein may play a role in fetal immune function or in maintenance of osmotic pressure, its exact function is unknown. We report two infants documented to have congenital deficiency of alpha-fetoprotein. One infant had cord blood levels less than 0.5 ng/ml. The second infant had a neonatal level of 120 ng/ml, which is about 2% of the usual concentration for a term newborn. These infants document the existence of congenital deficiency of serum alpha-fetoprotein. Because it is homologous to albumin, congenital deficiency of alpha-fetoprotein may be analogous to analbuminemia, a benign genetic trait.

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