Amniotic fluid bilirubin and creatinine concentrations in Nigerian pregnant women.

Amniotic fluid bilirubin and creatinine levels were determined in 143 pregnant patients of known maturity. The bilirubin values did not bear any significant relationship with the gestational age. The creatinine levels however, showed a rise as pregnancy progressed. Amiotic fluid mean creatinine values were below 1 mg/100 ml before 30 weeks and around 2 mg/100 ml close to term. Eighty per cent of all creatinine values at 37 weeks gestation and over were 1.6 mg/100 ml or more. The mean level of creatinine in amniotic fluid correlated with gestational age. This test can therefore be applied antenatally along with other clinical data to distinguish between the premature and mature infants.