This correspondence highlights and clarifies the normal α-fetoprotein values in neonates and infants, suggesting greater awareness is needed.
To the Editor.— We certainly agree with the statement by Urbach et al1 that there should be an increasing awareness of the normal range of α-fetoprotein values in children, especially neonates. As correctly pointed out by the authors, the normal value of <10 mg/dL given in The Harriet Lane Handbook is misleading. As pediatric hematologist/oncologists, we have been asked on many occasions by our colleagues about the normal value of α-fetoprotein in various age groups of infants.
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Gale et al. (1988) studied this question.
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