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The amniotic fluid is the protective liquid contained by the amniotic sac of a gravid amniote. This fluid serves as a cushion for the growing fetus, but also serves to facilitate the exchange of nutrients, water, and biochemical products between mother and fetus. For humans, the amniotic fluid is commonly called water or waters (Latin liquor ...
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.
The presence of these biophysical variables implies absence of significant central nervous system hypoxemia/acidemia at the time of testing. By comparison, a compromised fetus typically exhibits loss of accelerations of the fetal heart rate (FHR), decreased body movement and breathing, hypotonia, and, less acutely, decreased amniotic fluid volume.
Oligohydramnios is a medical condition in pregnancy characterized by a deficiency of amniotic fluid, the fluid that surrounds the fetus in the abdomen, in the amniotic sac. The limiting case is anhydramnios , where there is a complete absence of amniotic fluid.
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.
Amniotic fluid embolism, a condition in which amniotic fluid or other fetal debris enters the maternal circulation, is an extremely rare and catastrophic complication of amniocentesis. [1] Amniotic fluid embolism can result in cardiovascular collapse and has a poor maternal prognosis. [43]
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.
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.