Abstract
Objective Many physicians erroneously believe and have propagated the myth that a second trimester amniotic fluid sample will not fern. We attempted to redemonstrate ferning and to demonstrate the efficacy of an assay for α1-microglobulin in second trimester amniotic fluid samples. Study Design Amniotic fluid samples were collected from women undergoing routine genetic amniocentesis between 15 and 26 weeks. A total of 97 samples of second trimester amniotic fluid were placed on slides and examined for ferning at 5 and 10 minutes. An α1-microglobulin assay was performed on each sample. Data were recorded and reported. Results Approximately 93% of samples were fern positive at 5 minutes and 100% were fern positive at 10 minutes. All samples were α1-microglobulin positive. Conclusion Pure amniotic fluid is reliably fern and α1-microglobulin positive in the second trimester. Republication of data only available in pre-online sources will benefit physicians and patients.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 389-392 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | American Journal of Perinatology |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2014 |
Keywords
- amniotic fluid
- ferning
- ruptured membranes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Obstetrics and Gynecology