title: Amniotic fluid: not just fetal urine anymore.
abstract: Amniotic fluid (AF) is a complex substance essential to fetal well-being. This article reviews recent discoveries and the current understanding of the origin and circulation of AF and its nutritive, protective, and diagnostic functions. Future directions for AF research are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis School of Medicine, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Underwood
authors.forename: William M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Sherman
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000652:urine; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D016104:Oligohydramnios / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006831:Polyhydramnios / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012107:Research Design; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity