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Am J Perinatol 2014; 31(05): 389-392
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1350055
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Second Trimester Amniotic Fluid Is Reliably Fern Positive and α1-Microglobulin Positive: Dispelling a Labor Deck Myth

Authors

  • Nicholas S. Fogelson

    1   Division of Female Pelvic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Paul C. Browne

    2   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, Georgia

  • Stanette Browne

    3   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, South Carolina

  • Anthony R. Gregg

    4   Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida School of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
Further Information

Publication History

28 November 2012

07 June 2013

Publication Date:
19 July 2013 (online)

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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.

Keywords

amniotic fluid - ruptured membranes - α1-microglobulin - ferning