My alphafetaprotein (AFP) test returned high levels of AFP. What is the risk that my baby has a neural tube defect?
The risk of a neural tube defect is about 1 or 2 for every 1,000 pregnancies (0.1%-0.2%). The test returns a high positive value in 5 out of 100 pregnancies (5%). A high value will indicate the need for additional tests. You may be further along in your pregnancy that you previously thought, or you may be carrying twins. AFP tests will detect all cases of anencephaly. It will also detect 80% of spina bifida cases.
