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Amniotic fluid particles: are they related to a mature amniotic fluid phospholipid profile?

In a prospective, blinded clinical study, the relationship between amniotic fluid free-floating particles measured by a dynamic ultrasound imaging method and phospholipid profile was studied in 82 women undergoing amniocentesis between 26-42 weeks' gestation. None of 11 patients with sonographically clear amniotic fluid had a mature phospholipid profile (lecithin-sphingomyelin ratio greater than 2 and detectable phosphatidylglycerol). Thirty-eight of 71 women (53%) with turbid or markedly turbid amniotic fluid had a mature phospholipid profile. The sensitivity of this method was 100%, specificity 25%, positive predictive value 53%, and negative predictive value 100%. Although the finding of sonographically clear amniotic fluid may eliminate unnecessary amniocentesis, markedly turbid amniotic fluid is not a reliable indicator of a mature amniotic fluid phospholipid profile.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Comparative efficacy of two sonographic measurements for the detection of aberrations in the amniotic fluid volume and the effect of amniotic fluid volume on pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine in pregnant women with preterm labor the relative efficacy of the amniotic fluid index (AFI) and the two-diameter pocket to detect abnormalities in amniotic fluid volume (AFV), and to relate these findings to pregnancy outcome. METHODS: Fifty-seven healthy women with preterm labor underwent amniocentesis in the third trimester to detect subclinical chorioamnionitis and assess fetal lung maturity. The AFV was estimated by the AFI and two-diameter-pocket methods, then confirmed by a dye (aminohippurate sodium)-dilution technique. Each labor was evaluated for severe variable decelerations requiring amnioinfusion, fetal distress resulting in cesarean delivery, and a 5-minute Apgar score below 7. RESULTS: Using fluid volume confirmed by dye dilution, the AFI correctly diagnosed AFV as low (less than 500 mL) in only two of 23 (8.7%) patients, compared to 14 of 23 (61%) for the two-diameter pocket (P < .001). Fetal distress requiring cesarean delivery occurred significantly more often in the hydramnios group (three of six) compared to those with normal AFV (one of 23) (P < .03), and approached significance in the oligohydramnios group (two of 21) (P = .056). There were no significant differences among the three patient groups regarding the need for amnioinfusion for severe variable decelerations or the occurrence of 5-minute Apgar scores below 7. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the AFI, the two-diameter pocket is a superior sonographic measurement for the detection of oligohydramnios. In an otherwise low-risk pregnancy with preterm labor, oligohydramnios is associated with no greater risk for an adverse outcome than is a normal AFV.

Adult↗

Fatty acid composition of amniotic fluid lecithin and its relationship to amniotic fluid C-peptide in diabetic pregnancy.

Fatty acid composition in lecithin and C-peptide was analysed in amniotic fluid samples obtained from 28 normal and 24 insulin-treated diabetic women in the 34th to 39th week of pregnancy. The pattern of changes of fatty acid composition of amniotic fluid (AF) lecithin was essentially the same in pregnancies complicated by diabetes as in non-diabetic controls. However, at 36/37 weeks, the mean values for palmitoleic acid (16:1) were statistically higher in diabetic women (P less than 0.02), and the mean values for stearic acid (18:0) were higher for normals (P less than 0.02). The mean C-peptide value was more than twice as high (0.71 nmol/l) in the diabetic group than in the control group (P less than 0.01). The lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) and palmitic/stearic acid (P/S) ratios were equal in both groups. Neither in five diabetic patients with fetuses indicating marked hyperinsulinism (C-peptide greater than 1.0 nmol/l) nor in the remaining group of patients was there any relationship between C-peptide levels and the lecithin fatty acid composition.

Adult↗

Retinal arteriolar occlusions following amniotic fluid embolism.

Amniotic fluid embolism is a serious complication of pregnancy resulting in death in the majority of patients. Particulate matter originating in the amniotic fluid has been identified at autopsy in the lung, kidney, and brain. A patient is presented who survived amniotic fluid embolism and developed bilateral retinal arteriolar occlusions, presumably based on entrapment of particulate matter originating in amniotic fluid. Her clinical course and ophthalmic findings are reviewed, and the relationship between amniotic fluid embolism and retinal vascular occlusion is discussed.

Adult↗

Ultrasound evaluation of amniotic fluid volume. I. The relationship of marginal and decreased amniotic fluid volumes to perinatal outcome.

Qualitative amniotic fluid volume determination is a routine part of fetal biophysical profile score testing. The relationship between oligohydramnios and poor perinatal outcome has been previously documented. We have undertaken a retrospective chart review relating qualitative amniotic fluid volume as determined at the time of last biophysical profile score assessment to perinatal outcome in 7582 referred high-risk obstetric patients. Gross and corrected perinatal mortality in association with normal qualitative amniotic fluid volume ranged from 4.65/1000 and 1.97/1000, respectively, to 187.5/1000 and 109.4/1000 in association with decreased qualitative amniotic fluid volume, respectively. The incidences of major congenital anomaly and intrauterine growth retardation were significantly related to qualitative amniotic fluid volume.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Developmental changes in gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in human amniotic fluid.

Human amniotic fluid gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) occurs in a high molecular weight form, as shown by G-200 gel chromatography. Papain treatment causes the formation of a GGT molecule with an approximate molecular weight of 98 000. Early amniotic fluid contains GGT which binds mostly to Con A-Sepharose and shows alpha-mobility on cellulose acetate electrophoresis. In late amniotic fluid, the major portion of the GGT activity is concanavalin A-nonreactive and is present in the beta-region on electrophoresis. Neuraminidase treatment abolishes the difference in the electrophoretic mobility between early and late amniotic fluid GGT. Papain treatment has no effect on the electrophoretic mobility or concanavalin A-binding of GGT. The results suggest that the carbohydrate moiety of amniotic fluid GGT undergoes developmental changes during gestation.

Amniotic Fluid↗

[Amniotic fluid embolism].

Amniotic fluid embolism is a rare obstetric emergency in which amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair, or other debris enters the maternal circulation. Amniotic fluid embolism is an incompletely understood obstetric complication unique to pregnancy presenting with the acute onset of hypoxia, hypotension and severe coagulopathy. Up to 86% of the cases are fatal, maternal death occurs within the first hour of symptom onset in 50% of the patients. It cannot be predicted nor prevented. The epidemiology of amniotic fluid embolism, frequency, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, histologic findings, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, possible treatment, mortality rate, neonatal survival are discussed in this review article.

Adult↗

Serial assessment of amniotic fluid index in uncomplicated term pregnancies: prognostic value of amniotic fluid reduction.

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of amniotic fluid volume in association with a non-stress test is a commonly used method to monitor fetal well-being in high-risk pregnancies. The aims of our study were to determine whether oligohydramnios and the trend in amniotic fluid volume have prognostic significance in low-risk pregnancies between 40.0 and 41.6 weeks' gestation. METHODS: Between January 1997 and December 2000, all uncomplicated gestations with a singleton non-anomalous fetus reaching 40.0 weeks' gestation underwent semi-weekly monitoring of amniotic fluid index (AFI) until delivery. Oligohydramnios was defined as an AFI of < or = 5 cm. Changes in AFI were expressed as centimeters per day, and were calculated as: [(last AFI before delivery minus first AFI at 40.0 weeks) / interval in days between the two scans]. Adverse outcome was considered the occurrence of 5-min Apgar score < 7; umbilical artery pH < 7.0; Cesarean section for fetal distress; or fetal death. Comparisons between the groups with favorable and adverse outcomes was performed with chi(2) or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, and Student's t test for continuous variables. A two-tailed p value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 3050 women met the study criteria, and underwent a median number of two (range 1-7) sonographic assessments of AFI after 40.0 weeks, with oligohydramnios detected in 341 women. In 1466 women at least two serial AFI determinations were obtained, allowing computation of an AFI trend. Gestations resulting in adverse perinatal outcome (n = 167, 5.5%) had a significantly higher rate of oligohydramnios (33/167, 19.8% vs. 308/2883, 10.7%, p = 0.001), but a similar rate of reduction in AFI ( -0.65 +/- 0.64 vs. - 0.66 +/- 0.66 cm/day; p = 0.85) than those with favorable outcome. The difference in rate of reduction of AFI between the two groups was not significant, even in the subset of gestations that developed oligohydramnios ( -1.08 +/- 0.87 vs. -1.26 +/- 0.89 cm/day; p = 0.27). CONCLUSION: A sonographic diagnosis of oligohydramnios carries an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome, even in low-risk pregnancies after 40 weeks. The trend in amniotic fluid volume reduction does not seem to have prognostic significance.

Adult↗

Tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) in amniotic fluid and blood plasma: implications for the mechanism of amniotic fluid embolism.

UNLABELLED: Tissue factor (TF) is known to be present in a high concentration in amniotic fluid. The main question of this study is whether tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), a natural inhibitor of TF, is present in amniotic fluid. The study group consisted of 28 women with normal pregnancy course, and at the first stage of termed labour. Fifteen non-pregnant women were the control group. TF and TFPI were studied by an immunoenzymatic method (ELISA). The level of TFPI in amniotic fluid was 38.7% of that in blood plasma (16.81+/-5.34ng/ml versus 43.41+/-18.70ng/ml, P<0.001), while the level of TF in amniotic fluid was 44.8 times higher than in blood plasma (9995.93+/-8533.11pg/ml versus 252.66+/-28.84pg/ml, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: (i) It was found, for the first time, that amniotic fluid contains TFPI (ii) It is reasonable to assume that the intrusion of amniotic fluid into the blood-stream may influence the plasmatic TFPI-TF equilibrium resulting in intravascular blood coagulation.

Adult↗

Maternal hydration increases amniotic fluid index in women with normal amniotic fluid.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that maternal oral hydration would increase the amniotic fluid (AF) index in pregnancies with normal AF. METHODS: Forty women with a normal AF index (7.0-24.0 cm) were randomized to either the control or hydration group. Women in the hydration group drank 2 L of water and returned for the post-treatment AF index in 4-6 hours, whereas women in the control group drank only 100 mL of water during the same time period. The investigator performing the AF index was blinded to the subject's group. The pre- and post-treatment AF indexes and maternal urine specific gravities were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The mean AF index in the hydration group increased significantly by 3.0 +/- 2.4 cm (P < or = .0001) whereas it declined significantly by 1.5 +/- 2.7 cm in the control group (P < or = .02). The maternal urine specific gravities also changed significantly in the expected direction, with those in the hydration group decreasing and those in the control group increasing (P < or = .0001). There was a regression coefficient of -0.6 (P < or = .0001) between the change in urine specific gravity and the change in AF index. The mean time between the pre- and post-treatment AF indexes was not different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal oral hydration increased the AF index by approximately 16%, whereas fluid restriction decreased the AF index by 8% in women with normal AF. These findings support previous data that maternal hydration increased the AF index by 31% in women with decreased AF and suggest that maternal fluid volume or osmolality may have a role in maintaining the AF volume.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Amniotic fluid embolism and leukotrienes--the role of amniotic fluid surfactant in leukotriene production.

Surfactant rich lipid (lipid) was extracted from cell free 10,000 x g pellets of amniotic fluid. White blood cells (WBC) were isolated from human donors. 36 x 10(7) WBC and 5 g rabbit lung were incubated with pretreated lipid or dipalmitoyl lecithin (lecithin). Leukotrienes (LTs) were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and bioassay, and quantified by radioimmunoassay. Peaks of LTC4 and LTD4 on HPLC and guinea-pig ileum contraction could be identified in lipid and lecithin groups, but not in the control group. LTC4 production by lipid and lecithin groups was significantly higher than that by the control group. An involvement of amniotic fluid surfactant in leukotriene production is suggested.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

Sonographically homogeneous echogenic amniotic fluid in detecting meconium-stained amniotic fluid.

A prospective study was performed to examine the hypothesis that sonographically homogeneous echogenic amniotic fluid (AF) may provide a marker for the presence of meconium-stained AF. Twenty term gestations in which homogeneous echogenic AF was demonstrated sonographically were compared with 40 cases with sonographically clear AF. Two cases in the study group had meconium-stained AF at delivery. All of the controls had clear fluid by amniocentesis (performed for lung maturation studies) immediately after the sonographic examination. Thus, homogeneous echogenic AF had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 69%, a positive predictive value of 10%, and a negative predictive value of 100% in detecting meconium. We conclude that homogeneous echogenic AF does not necessarily detect meconium-stained AF.

Adult↗

Ultrasound assessment of amniotic fluid volume: a comparison of the single deepest pool and amniotic fluid index to predict perinatal morbidity.

The ability of the amniotic fluid index and the single deepest pool to predict perinatal morbidity was compared in 291 high-risk singleton pregnancies without ruptured membranes or fetal renal abnormalities. A poor outcome was defined as a birth weight < -2 standard deviations, emergency Cesarean section for fetal heart rate abnormalities in labor, 5-minute Apgar score < 7, umbilical venous pH at delivery < 7.15 and admission to the special care baby unit. At least one of these parameters occurred in 71 (24%) of the 291 pregnancies. Oligohydramnios (an amniotic fluid index 5 cm (chi(2) = 2.41, p = 0.02). There was a significant correlation between amniotic fluid index and single deepest pool measurements (r = 0.83, n = 291, p < 0.0001). At the recommended cut-off values, the single deepest pool and the amniotic fluid index had sensitivities of 7% and 13%, respectively and specificities of 96% and 95% for predicting perinatal morbidity. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that these poor results were not the result of the cut-off values chosen and that the performances of the amniotic fluid index and single deepest pool were similar.

Journal Article↗