Hereditary persistence of alpha-fetoprotein.
Persistently elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels were found in a 43-yr-old man in the absence of any specific pathology. Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels were subsequently found in three first-degree relatives, two siblings, and one daughter. This represents the third documented family with hereditary persistence of alpha-fetoprotein. The pedigree is consistent with an autosomal dominant inheritance. Such elevated alpha-fetoprotein levels may be difficult to interpret in patients being screened for malignancy or in maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening programs. This rare genetic condition seems benign, with no discernable disease or functional abnormality noted in follow-up over a 6-mo period.
Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
F
F
Greenberg
E
E
Rose
E
E
Alpert
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005799:Genes, Dominant; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000235:genetics*
D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins