title: [Ultrasonic detection of fetal vernix in amniotic fluid as and index to fetal maturity].
abstract: The relationship between ultrasonographic detection of fetal vernix and visual assessment of amniotic fluid (AF) and fetal pulmonary maturity evaluated by the "shake test" was studied in 73 high-risk patients undergoing amniocentesis for obstetrical indications. The AF was classified as type I, type II, and type III, depending on the subjective amount of vernix detected. Ultrasound predicted correctly 7 out of 11 cases of type I AF (64%), 14 out of 22 cases of type II AF (64%), and 38 out of 40 cases of type III AF (95%). When ultrasonography detected type I AF the "shake test" was negative in all cases, whereas if type II or type III were found, the "shake test" was positive in 40% and 86%, respectively. Our results suggest that sonographic detection of type I AF is associated with immaturity, thus amniocentesis should be avoided in such cases. Conversely, if a type III AF is detected a mature fetus is found in almost 90% of the cases. The observation of AF detecting fetal vernix during third trimester sonography is a simple manoeuver that can help to avoid the use of amniocentesis, an invasive procedure associated with some serious fetal and maternal complications.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Hospital Clínico Regional Guillermo Grant Benavente, Universidad de Concepción.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Sepúlveda
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Araneda
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avendaño
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology; D011247:Pregnancy; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014708:Vernix Caseosa
vernacular_title: Detección ultrasonográfica de vérnix en líquido amniótico como índice de madurez fetal.