Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein and impaired immune response in malnutrition.

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) estimated in 33 malnourished children, was found to be elevated in 11 of 17 fetally growth-retarded infants and in 5 to 16 with postnatal nutritional deficiency. The majority of those with increased serum AFP concentration had associated liver dysfunction. Nutritional deprivation of growing rats resulted in an increase in AFP levels, especially in the offspring of starved female animals. The administration of purified AFP was associated with reduced antibody formation to sheep red blood cells. It is suggested that AFP exerts a modulating influence on immune response.