amniotic fluid

Introduction

fluid that bathes the fetus within the placenta

Pathology

• polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid) may lead to fetal anomalies
• oligohydramnios (too little amniotic fluid) may lead to poor lung development & fetal demise

Physiology

• cushions fetus from physical trauma
• permits fetal lung growth
• provides a barrier against infection
• normal amniotic fluid volume increases with gestational age with a maximum of 800-1000 mL at 36-37 weeks of gestation

by the latter half of the second trimester, amniotic fluid is primarily fetal urine

More general terms

• extracellular compartment (extracellular space)
• body fluid

More specific terms

• karyotype in amniotic fluid

Additional terms

• oligohydramnios
• polyhydramnios (hydramnios)