Serum alpha-fetoprotein in viral hepatitis and its complications.

Alpha-fetoprotein levels were measured by radioimmunoassay in 40 cases of acute viral hepatitis, 5 cases of chronic persistent hepatitis, 15 cases of chronic aggressive hepatitis and 5 cases of hepatic coma from fulminant viral hepatitis. Serum concentrations were increased in 55% of patients with acute viral hepatitis and in about 33% of patients with chronic aggressive hepatitis. Levels resulted markedly raised among the patients with coma from fulminant viral hepatitis who survived. The high aplha-fetoprotein values may reflect liver cell regeneration after necrosis of a critical mass of hepatic tissue.