Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

alpha-fetoprotein
A plasma protein normally
produced by a fetus, principally in the fetus’s liver,
the fetal gastrointestinal tract, and the yolk sac, a
structure temporarily present during embryonic
development. Abbreviated AFP. The level of AFP is
typically high in the fetus’s blood. It goes down after
birth. By 1 year of age, it is virtually undetectable.
During pregnancy, AFP crosses the placenta from
the fetal circulation and appears in the mother’s
blood. The level of AFP in the mother’s blood pro-
vides an opportunity to screen for a number of dis-
orders, including open neural tube defects (such as
anencephaly and spina bifida), Down syndrome,
and other chromosome abnormalities.
Alport syndrome
A hereditary condition charac-
terized by kidney disease, deafness, and sometimes
eye defects. Alport syndrome involves inflammation
of the kidney (nephritis), often progressing to kid-
ney failure, and sensory nerve hearing loss.
Progression to kidney failure is gradual and usually
occurs in males before 50 years of age.
ALS
Amyotropic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s
disease.
ALT
Alanine aminotransferase.
alternative medicine
Healing arts not taught in
traditional Western medical schools that promote
options to conventional medicine that is taught in
these schools. An example of an alternative therapy
is using a special diet to treat cancer instead of
undergoing surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy
that has been recommended by a Western physi-
cian. Complementary medicine is different from
alternative medicine. Whereas complementary med-
icine is used together with conventional medicine,
alternative medicine is used in place of conventional
medicine. See also 
complementary medicine;
conventional medicine.