Determination of fetal maturity from the measurement of the sedimentary fraction of the amniotic fluid (amniocrit).

A simple technique is described for evaluating foetal maturity. This consists in measuring the sedimentary fraction of the amniotic fluid (amniocrit). The amount of sediment, expressed in percent of the total liquid volume varies between 0.33% at 36 weeks of amenorrhea and about 2.22% at 40 weeks. These values are correspond to arithmetical means. The differences between pre-term and term pregnancy are highly significant (p less than 0.001). The mean at 32--36 weeks of amenorrhea is 0.27, and at 37--41 weeks is 1.45. A close correlation between gestational age and the fraction of sediment in amniotic fluid is shown in Fig. 1. The correlation coefficient was 0.726. This technique of measuring the sediment combines simplicity and reliability and can be employed where minimal resources are available, and in rural hospitals. The feasibility of using this procedure in institutions with limited resources is emphasized.