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Glite Dictionary
AFP

AFP

12 7.5
A protein made by a baby before birth that can show birth problems
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : AFP
  • Of note, there was increased predictive power when exosomal and serum miR were combined with AFP to monitor HCC 98.

Examples

  • The doctor explained that a high level of AFP can indicate possible fetal abnormalities during pregnancy.

  • She monitored her pregnancy closely, as her AFP levels showed an unexpected spike.

  • Serum AFP levels are elevated in 30% of patients with HCC, and AFP levels > 400 ng/ml are highly correlated with the presence of HCC.

    Academic text (2017)

  • The combination of serum miR-16 with AFP resulted in improved sensitivity (85%) and increased diagnostic accuracy (87.5%).

    Academic text (2017)

  • The lab results revealed that his AFP was elevated, prompting further testing for potential birth defects.

Synonyms

fetoprotein
vsAFP
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A protein found in an unborn baby and sometimes in adults with certain cancers

is the specific fetal protein whose elevated levels suggest developmental abnormalities
alpha fetoprotein
vsAFP
  • Specialized
6.5

Protein made in an unborn baby that when high can show birth defects such as spina bifida

is the abbreviated form used instead of the full scientific name

Surface Forms

AFP singular

Morphology

AFP = alpha-fetoprotein (opaque) = A + F + P

'AFP' is an initialism referring to the full medical term; the letters alone do not transparently convey the meaning to typical learners.

Etymology

AFP stands for alpha-feto-protein, where alpha means 'first', feto comes from 'fetus' meaning 'baby in the womb', and protein is a body substance; so it is the 'first' protein made by the developing baby and doctors measure it during pregnancy.