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Analysis of amniotic fluid can reveal many aspects of the baby's genetic health as well as the age and viability of the fetus. This is because the fluid contains metabolic wastes and compounds used in assessing fetal age and lung maturity, but amniotic fluid also contains fetal cells, which can be examined for genetic defects.
The amniotic fluid is sampled and analyzed via methods such as karyotyping and DNA analysis technology for genetic abnormalities. [ 1 ] An amniocentesis is typically performed in the second trimester between the 15th and 20th week of gestation. [ 5 ]
Positive fern test with amniotic fluid as seen under the microscope. The fern test is a medical laboratory test used in obstetrics and gynecology.The name refers to the detection of a characteristic "fern like" pattern of vaginal secretions when a specimen is allowed to dry on a glass slide and is viewed under a low-power microscope.
The lecithin–sphingomyelin ratio is a marker of fetal lung maturity. The outward flow of pulmonary secretions from the fetal lungs into the amniotic fluid maintains the level of lecithin and sphingomyelin equally until 32–33 weeks gestation, when the lecithin concentration begins to increase significantly while sphingomyelin remains nearly the same.
An amniocyte (literally "lamb cell") is a cell of a fetus which is suspended in the amniotic fluid. [1] To study a person's chromosomes, it can be used in DNA-based analysis, via microscopic analysis of the cells in amniotic fluid. After circa 16 weeks of pregnancy the fluid can be collected.
Amniotic fluid index (AFI) is a quantitative estimate of amniotic fluid [1] and an indicator of fetal well-being. It is a separate measurement from the biophysical profile. [1] AFI is the score (expressed in centimetres) given to the amount of amniotic fluid seen on ultrasonography of a pregnant uterus.
Amniotic fluid is mildly basic (pH 7.1–7.3) compared to normal vaginal secretions which are acidic (pH 4.5–6). [10] Basic fluid, like amniotic fluid, will turn the nitrazine paper from orange to dark blue. [9] Fern test: A sterile cotton swab is used to collect fluid from the vagina and place it on a microscope slide.
Usual follow-up steps include (1) a prenatal ultrasound exam to look for fetal abnormalities and/or (2) measurement of AFP in amniotic fluid obtained via amniocentesis. Maternal serum AFP (MSAFP) varies by orders of magnitude during the course of a normal pregnancy. MSAFP increases rapidly until about 32 weeks gestation, then decreases gradually.