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amniotic fluid
fluid that bathes the fetus within the placenta
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
Pathology:
- polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid) may lead to fetal anomalies
- oligohydramnios (too little amniotic fluid) may lead to poor lung development & fetal demise
Related
beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase in amniotic fluid
oligohydramnios
polyhydramnios (hydramnios)
Specific
karyotype in amniotic fluid
General
extracellular compartment (extracellular space)
body fluid
References
- Boyd RL
MedScape: Polyhydramnios and Oligohydramnios
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/975821-overview