All issues > Volume 27(3); 1984

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1984;27(3):224-228. Published online March 31, 1984.

A Study on Serum Alpha-fetoprotein Levels in Newborn Infants.

Sang Ki Min

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Busan National University

Abstract

The levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were measured in 32 newborn infants (Under 24 hours of age), who have no evidence of infection and hyperbilirubinemia (Total bilirubin: Below 6 mg/ml.). 2~3 ml of blood was sampled from femoral puncture and serum AFP levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (Amersham RIA Kit: Amersham International Co. U.K.). The results were summarized as follows: 1) There were 16 females. 18 cases were delivered by Cesarean section and 14 were normal spontaneous vaginal delivery. 2)The mean serum AFP level was 87.4±17.9 /ug/ml. 3)The mean serum AFP levels of male and female were not statistically significant (p>0.05, Male: 88.2±21.6Female: 86.6±14.0 ug/ml.). 4) The mean serum AFP level was slightly higher in Cesarean sections than that of normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries, but there was no statistical significance(p>0.05, Cesarean sections: 90.8±19.2 /ug/ml, Normal spontaneous vaginal deliveries: 83.0±15.8 ug/ml.).

Keywords :Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP); Newborn Infant