Alpha-fetoprotein following neonatal resection of sacrococcygeal teratoma.

The sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is the most frequent tumor in the neonatal period. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels fall after tumoral resection, although the time required for level normalization has not been established. The authors evaluate the time required for AFP levels to reach normal levels in 6 infants with prenatal diagnosis of SCT who underwent surgery for resection. The mean time required for AFP level normalization was 9 months. All patients were alive and 1 had neurogenic bladder. AFP has a progressive decrease, which may last 9 months in average and should not be confused with tumoral relapse.