Amniotic fluid retinol concentrations in late pregnancy.

The concentrations of retinol (vitamin A) were measured in 36 samples of human amniotic fluid obtained near term. Mothers with normal pregnancy had higher amniotic fluid retinol levels than patients with diabetes or toxemia. The results indicate that some maternal complications during pregnancy affect the transport of retinol into amniotic fluid, possibly due to reductions in the uteroplacental blood flow.