Diagnostic use of amniotic fluid

The amniotic fluid is now recognized as a continually changing body compartment which can yield valuable information regarding fetal maturity and health. Practical clinical applications of amniotic fluid analysis are found in the management of pregnancy in Rh-sensitized women, in the evaluation of fetal distress, in the determination of fetal maturity, and in the detection of familial chromosomal and metabolic disorders. Continuing investigations of the origin, the circulatory pathways, and the constituents of this vital fluid will undoubtedly uncover further diagnostic applications.