title: High-risk pregnancies and amniotic fluid isoamylase activity.
abstract: A kinetic test (Phadebas) was employed to determine the isoamylase activity in 77 amniotic fluid samples taken from a total of 60 high-risk pregnancies at different gestational ages. It was ascertained that in high-risk pregnancies the s-type isoamylase level frequently deviates from the common scatter range of the respective week of gestation. The measured activity of the s-type isoamylase is subsequently set in relation to the pre- and postnatal state of the newborn. The findings support the assumption that in addition to ultrasound, hormone determination and cardiotocography, the estimation of s-type amylase activity in amniotic fluid may serve as an index for fetal well-being. A reduced secretion of the parotid gland as a result of fetal stress is discussed as a possible cause of the ascertained enzymatic changes in the amniotic fluid.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital, Hamburg Eppendorf, FRG.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goepel
authors.forename: H U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Ulmer
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Schlotfeldt
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000201:enzymology*; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007517:Isoamylase / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D006026:Glycoside Hydrolases; D007517:Isoamylase