Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “AMNIOTIC FLUID”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,693 records · Page 94Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Prediction of fetal lung maturity from near-infrared spectra of amniotic fluid.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to attempt to correlate the quantitative data obtained from the near-infrared (near-IR) spectra of amniotic fluid with the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio determined from thin layer chromatographic analysis on the same samples, in order to establish the feasibility of near-IR spectroscopy as an alternate method for the prediction of fetal lung development. METHODS: Samples of amniotic fluid were obtained by amniocentesis from 52 patients between the 26th and 41st week of pregnancy. About 350 microliters of amniotic fluid was required to record the near-IR spectrum over the entire spectral range between 400 and 2500 nm using a commercial spectrometer. The L/S ratio was determined independently by thin layer chromatography (TLC) for each sample. For correlating the infrared spectra with the TLC-based L/S ratios, a partial least squares analysis was used. RESULTS: The L/S ratios predicted from the near-IR spectra of amniotic fluid were highly correlated and in excellent agreement with those determined by TLC (r = 0.91). CONCLUSION: Near-IR spectroscopy has the potential to become an alternate method to TLC for prediction of fetal pulmonary maturity.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Kazal type trypsin inhibitor in amniotic fluid in fetal developmental disorders.

The amniotic fluid concentrations of the Kazal type trypsin inhibitor were studied in pregnancies with fetal developmental disorders. The samples were obtained by amniocentesis between 14 and 19 weeks of gestation. In cases with fetal malformations, the level was below the normal 10th centile in 15 out of 28 cases (54 per cent, p less than 0.05) and above the normal 90th centile in 2 cases (7.1 per cent). Low values were common in cases with intrauterine fetal death or congenital nephrosis. The levels were normal in fetal chromosomal aberrations.

Amniocentesis↗
PubMed1980

[The value of alpha-1-fetoprotein determinations in the amniotic-fluid of patients with hydramnios in the diagnosis of fetal anomalies (author's transl)].

Little is known about the influence of hydramnios on the alphafetoprotein (AFP)-concentration in the amniotic fluid. We therefore investigated in 19 patients with hydramnios the diagnostic value of the sonographic evidence and the AFP-concentration in the amniotic fluid in relation to prenatal diagnosis of fetal malformations in two independent series. An anlysis of the AFP-concentration in the amniotic fluid can corroborate the diagnosis of a malformation made by sonography and influence decisions concerning the management of pregnancy and delivery. If ultra-sonic tests show no anomalies, significantly increased AFP-concentrations in the amniotic fluid of patients with hydramnions can merely confirm a suspicious of an existing malformation and influence decisions on further diagnostic steps.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1987

Phosphate content of human amniotic fluid and its relationship to bacterial growth inhibition.

A sensitive method for assay of phosphate has been adapted for use with human amniotic fluid. The presence of an antibacterial factor in amniotic fluid inactivated by phosphate suggested that measurement of free phosphate may predict antibacterial activity and hence susceptibility to intrapartum infection. The intrinsic antibacterial activity of amniotic fluid was altered by addition of large amounts of phosphate, but the intrinsic concentration of free phosphate correlated poorly with antibacterial activity and organically combined phosphates did not appear to be related to the antibacterial property.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1985

Amniotic fluid volume and fetal swallowing rate in sheep.

To investigate amniotic fluid (AF) dynamics and volume regulatory mechanisms, we measured the concentration of radioiodinated (125I) serum albumin (RISA), 51Cr-labeled red blood cells (Cr-RBC), and 103Ru-labeled microspheres after injection into the amniotic cavity and determined AF volume and fetal swallowing rate in 22 singleton pregnant sheep. Under normal conditions 2-3 h were required for complete mixing of RISA and Cr-RBC within AF; however, when the fetus was dead only 3-5 h were required. AF volume of 17 sheep on the 5th postoperative day averaged 975 +/- 128 ml by RISA and 986 +/- 130 ml by Cr-RBC. AF volume determined with RISA and Cr-RBC correlated well. In contrast, AF volume measurement with microspheres produced erratic results. The disappearance rate of the labels in 17 ewes on the 5th postoperative day averaged 4.9 +/- 0.7%/h for RISA and 5.5 +/- 0.7 for Cr-RBC, and the calculated rates of fetal swallowing were 935 +/- 78 ml/day by RISA and 1,085 +/- 102 by Cr-RBC. In dead fetuses the disappearance rates were almost zero, suggesting that the labels disappear mainly by swallowing. Absolute volume swallowed and swallowed volume per fetal weight correlated with gestational age. AF volume correlated with fetal weight. Radiolabeled albumin or red blood cells may be used to simultaneously measure amniotic fluid volume and the rate of fetal swallowing. Furthermore it appears that fetal swallowing increases with gestational age.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1981

The relationship of amniotic fluid fluorescence polarization to neonatal lung function.

Steady-state fluorescence polarization (FP) of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) in monkey and human amniotic fluid was studied over a wide range of gestational ages. In both of these systems, the fluorescence polarization decreased with advancing gestational age. In the monkey, these measurements were correlated with both biochemical and physiologic parameters of lung function, including maximal lung volume, alveolar stability, percentage of disaturated phosphatidylcholine in lung homogenate, and lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio of amniotic fluid. Fluorescence polarization values correlated well with the lung disaturated phosphatidylcholine content expressed as a percentage of phosphatidylcholine, thus suggesting that the fluorescent probe interacts with a fraction of the amniotic fluid which is closely related to development of the pulmonary surfactant. system. Comparison of monkey and human amniotic fluid fluorescence polarizations showed a greater anisotropy of DPH in the monkey fluid at all stages of gestation, thereby indicating a greater microviscosity in monkey pulmonary surfactant.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1997

Sudden maternal deaths from amniotic fluid embolism.

Sudden maternal death from amniotic fluid embolism is a rare but serious complication which usually occurs during late pregnancy, often during labour or shortly after, with more than 80% mortality. Such a death causes immense stress to both the relatives and the attending doctors as it is sudden and unexpected. Three such deaths are discussed here. Traditionally, it was believed that this complication usually occurred in prolonged and difficult labour, but there is evidence contrary to this, and it is not possible to predict when and where this fatal complication will occur. Current views and various pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to the fatal outcome are also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Amniotic fluid lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in complicated pregnancies.

Amniotic fluid (AF) lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) rations were obtained in 223 pregnancies. Gestations complicated by maternal diabetes (71), vascular disease (50), and fetal growth retardation (47) were included. Elevated L/S ratios at 34 to 36 weeks' gestation were observed to accompany maternal vascular disease; higher rat;os were also related to fetal sex (female) and race (black). Declining L/S rations were observed in 14 of 35 diabetic patients studied serially (40 per cent) and were accompanied by increased perinatal morbidity and deaths. These data suggest an urgent need for further studies concerning the clinical usefulness of a serial decline in the L/S ration as a predictor of fetal compromise.

Amniocentesis↗
PubMed1997

Analysis of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine in amniotic fluid by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A novel method for the determination of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) in amniotic fluid by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is described. Aliquots of 50 microliters of amniotic fluid were hydrolyzed with phospholipase C from Bacillus cereus and the resulting dipalmitoylglycerol analyzed by HPLC. Run-to-run and day-to-day precision for DPPC analysis were 4.2 and 6.1%, respectively, and analysis time was 10 min. Recoveries for DPPC ranged between 92 and 98%. In summarizing, this method provides a high precision and fast turnaround time means for the analysis of DPPC in amniotic fluid.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗
PubMed1987

The prediction of fetal lung maturity by amniotic fluid fluorescence polarization in diabetic pregnancy.

Amniotic fluid fluorescence polarization was determined in 105 pregnant diabetic women who delivered between 31 and 41 weeks gestation within 48 hours of an amniocentesis. Seventy-seven of these 105 women had lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) determinations. Seven (6.6%) of the 105 neonates suffered from hyaline membrane disease (HMD). Fluorescence polarization at any cutoff value between 0.310 and 0.330 excluded reasonably well the possibility of HMD (false mature prediction rate, 2.7-3.4%). At these cutoff values, there was no difference in sensitivity and false mature prediction rate between fluorescence polarization and L/S ratio. However, PG determination was the most sensitive method and carried no false mature predictions.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1973

Fetal rat intestinal absorption of horseradish peroxidase from swallowed amniotic fluid.

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injected into amniotic fluid is swallowed by rat fetuses and within 3-6 h reaches the gut lumen. This macromolecular protein is then absorbed by the columnar lining cells via a system of apical cytoplasmic tubules formed by invaginations of the plasma membrane. From cytoplasm subjacent to the brush border HRP is transported, within vacuoles, to the supranuclear region, where some is retained for at least 18 h, and to interepithelial spaces. Extracellular enzyme is then found throughout the epithelial basement membrane and between connective tissue cells of the mucosal and submucosal layers Finally, HRP can be detected within lumina of blood and lymphatic capillaries, strongly suggesting that it is transported from the intestine to the circulation.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMed1979

[Antenatal estimation of fetal maturity by exfoliative cytology of amniotic fluid (author's transl)].

In 152 amniotic fluid samples, derived either from amniocentesis or amniotomy, smears have been performed for cytological investigation (staining after Harris-Shorr). The per cent amount of different cell-shapes has been determined. Polygonal, anucleate, transparent cells, representing desquameted fetal keratinocytes, are seen more frequently in late pregnancy and have been registered separately. These data have been compared to the postnatal determination of gestational age after Dubowitz et al, as well as Farr et al. This mode of investigation allows a safe and objective determination of maturity in the last weeks of pregnancy and thereby an exclusion of a presumed fetal prematurity. This method seems very useful in differential diagnosis between fetal hypotrophy and prematurity in the latter part of pregnancy.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1977

Insulin levels in the amniotic fluid and in maternal and fetal blood.

The effects of excessive maternal weight gain during pregnancy (five cases) and of glucose infusion in the mother (five cases) on insulin levels are compared with the insulin levels in a control group (19 normal pregnancies) by radioimmunologic determination of insulin levels in the amniotic fluid and in maternal and fetal blood. The mean values for insulin in the control group were as follows: mother, 23.9 +/- 2.23 muU per ml; fetus, 9.86 +/- 2.11 muU per ml; and amniotic fluid, 5.08 +/- 2.27 muU per ml. In patients with excessive weight gain during pregnancy, maternal insulin mean values were 38.45 +/- 4.16 muU per ml; fetal, 19.99 +/- 9.8 muU per ml; and amniotic fluid, 11.25 +/- 2.58 muU per ml. After an infusion of 25 mg of glucose in the mother, the mean maternal insulin values were 53.6 +/- 13.74 muU per ml; fetal, 24.7 +/- 6.67 muU per ml; and amniotic fluid, 14.3 +/- 5.52 muU per ml. Insulin concentrations in maternal blood (p less than 0.001), fetal blood (p less than 0.001) and amniotic fluid (p less than 0.001) were higher in pregnancies with excessive weight gain as compared to those in the control group, whereas the glucose infusion in the mother increased the concentration of insulin in the three components studied.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2002

Maternal serum and amniotic fluid cytokines in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes with and without intrauterine infection.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of interleukins (IL-1, IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and for the first time interferon gamma (IFNgamma) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in the pathogenesis of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) with and without confirmed intrauterine infection. METHODS: Amniotic fluid was retrieved by transabdominal amniocentesis from 30 patients with PROM and 20 normal pregnant women with intact membranes of matched gestational age. Microbial state of amniotic cavity included culture for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, mycoplasmas and ureaplasma whether or not clinical signs of chorioamnionitis were present. Maternal serum and amniotic fluid IL-1, IL-6, TNFalpha and IFNgamma concentrations were determined by the corresponding immunoradiometric assay, whereas EGF concentration was determined by a specific radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Nearly all cases of PROM with infection revealed elevated amniotic fluid cytokines (IL-1beta, IL-6, TNFalpha, IFNgamma, EGF) whereas half of them revealed elevated serum cytokines. In cases of PROM without confirmed infection, there were no significant changes of maternal serum cytokines, whereas two-thirds of them revealed elevated amniotic fluid cytokines. CONCLUSIONS: The rise of cytokines in amniotic fluid of cases of PROM with infection may represent: (a) enhanced macrophage activity for immunosurveillance of the fetus; (b) a preparatory step for the initiation of labor; and (c) a valuable tests for diagnosing chorioamnioitis. The mechanism responsible for PROM in the presence or absence of infection is likely to be of different nature.

Adult↗
PubMed1978

[Changes in the lecithin-sphingomyelin relationship in the amniotic fluid following the effect of dexamethasone].

Amniotic fluid samples were taken by transabdominal amniocentesis from 22 pregnant women in the 32-37th gestation weeks. Determination of lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio showed that in 20 cases the L/S ratio was 2 or less than 2. The patients were treated with i.m. Dexamethason in a total dose of 0,3 mg/kg body weight. Subsequently the L/S determination was repeated. Dexamethason treatment resulted in a significant increase of L/S ratio. In 3 cases out of 22 the L/S ratio was below 2. No neonate developed RDS from this patient material. The authors are convinced that the risk of RDS is an indication for amniocentesis. If the L/S ratio equals 2 or is lower than this value, steroid prophylaxis is recommended.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1982

Fetal lung maturity in complicated pregnancy, as predicted from microviscosity of amniotic fluid.

We measured the microviscosity of amniotic fluid between 28 and 40 weeks of gestation in 252 normal pregnancies and in 172 pregnancies complicated by factors known to influence fetal lung maturation, including chronic high blood pressure, pregnancy-induced hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and therapy with betamethasone. Comparison of the microviscosity value distributions and regression analysis indicated significantly lower microviscosity values in hypertensive disorders, in Class D and Classes F or R diabetes, and after 48 h of treatment with betamethasone. Few changes were observed in Classes A, B, or C diabetes. These observations are consistent with the accelerated maturation of surfactant observed in chronic intrauterine stress and the lower incidence of hyaline membrane disease reported after glucocorticoids.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed1992

Determination of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in human amniotic fluid using high flow solid-phase extraction columns and HPLC.

A new solid-phase extraction procedure for the determination of cocaine and benzoylecgonine in amniotic fluid, using high flow co-polymeric sorbents is reported. The recoveries of cocaine and benzoylecgonine within the range 0.1-1 mg/l were 95.7% and 50.3%, respectively. The use of high-flow sorbents allowed the easy extraction of amniotic fluid regardless of sample viscosity or physical nature. The use of these solid-phase columns provided many advantages over the more commonly used solvent extraction, including an increase in extraction speed and efficiency, reduced operator time, reduced solvent use and disposal volumes and exceptional extract quality. Further, the determination of amniotic fluid obtained from pregnant cocaine users may provide important information about handling of cocaine by the fetus at various gestational ages. The procedure was successfully applied to amniotic fluid from suspected cocaine abusers.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Amniotic fluid embolism: historical perspectives & new possibilities.

Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare obstetric catastrophe that occurs suddenly and without warning. AFE is a condition that is poorly understood and often difficult to diagnose, but has a high maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Since it was first described in 1926, the underlying pathophysiology has eluded researchers and clinicians. While a new understanding of the syndrome has emerged with the advent of a national registry in the 1980s, recommendations for diagnostic methods and treatment in the acute phase of the event remain unclear. The purpose of this article is to provide the reader with a historical look at the phenomenon of AFE, a description of its suspected pathophysiology, and recommendations for nursing interventions. A review of data from the national registry and other classic studies are included.

Adult↗