DIAGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF ALPHA-FETOPROTEINS IN NEONATAL HYPERBILIRUBINEMIAS AND PRIMARY CANCER OF LIVER IN ADULTS

Abstract

The presence in the serum of .alpha.-1-fetoprotein (AFP) was studied by the following immunological methods: immunoprecipitation electrophoresis after Pesendorfer et al., modified micro-Ouchterlony technique as described by Prince and for quantitative determination of this fraction commercial Partigen plates with sensitivity above 1 mg/100 ml were used. Anti-AFP serum was used. These 2 methods were equally sensitive. In the newborn (41) with hyperbilirubinemia (cytomegalic inclusion disease, toxoplasmosis, ABO and Rh incompatibility) despite persisting abnormal laboratory tests indicating liver damage AFP disappeared from circulation by the end of the 1st mo. Fetoprotein was demonstrated in the serum by the end of the 3rd mo. in 9 babies in whom malformation of the bile ducts was confirmed intraoperatively. In adults AFP was observed in the serum of only those patients in whom primary hepatocellular cancer was proved pathohistologically. Of 15 verified cases of primary liver cancer AFP was positive in 43.7%.