Pronunciation: ˌ al-f ə - ˌ f ē -t ō - ' pr ō - ˌ t ē n, - ' pr ō -t ē - ə n
Function: noun
Date: 1968
: a fetal blood protein present abnormally in adults with some cancers (as of the liver) and normally in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women with high or low levels tending to be associated with certain birth defects (as spina bifida or Down syndrome)