Sonographically homogeneous echogenic amniotic fluid in detecting meconium-stained amniotic fluid.
A prospective study was performed to examine the hypothesis that sonographically homogeneous echogenic amniotic fluid (AF) may provide a marker for the presence of meconium-stained AF. Twenty term gestations in which homogeneous echogenic AF was demonstrated sonographically were compared with 40 cases with sonographically clear AF. Two cases in the study group had meconium-stained AF at delivery. All of the controls had clear fluid by amniocentesis (performed for lung maturation studies) immediately after the sonographic examination. Thus, homogeneous echogenic AF had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 69%, a positive predictive value of 10%, and a negative predictive value of 100% in detecting meconium. We conclude that homogeneous echogenic AF does not necessarily detect meconium-stained AF.
Sherer
D M
DM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York.
Abramowicz
J S
JS
Smith
S A
SA
Woods
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008470:Meconium / Q000737:chemistry; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal