[Growth retardation and amino acids. Analysis of maternal plasma and amniotic fluid].

We have carried out an analysis of the amino acids in the mother's plasma and in the liquor amnii of 26 pregnant women who delivered either normal premature babies or those with intra-uterine growth failure. The levels found at delivery showed no difference in cases of prematurity in the composition of the substances in the plasma, but the liquor is poor in glycocol (GLY), Tyrosine (TYR), Phenylalanine (PHE). In the case of growth failure a significant drop in the concentration of Threonine (THR), Alanine (ALA), Valine (VAL), Methionine (MET) and Arginine (ARG) was found in the plasma. The liquor amnii however had shown no change in composition.