European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background:Objectives: 1.To establish correlation between Amniotic fluid Optical
density (AFOD), gestational age, birth weight and functional maturity of the
newborn.2.To obtain mean AFOD at spontaneous onset of labor. 3.To study the
functional maturity of the newborns, especially in terms of lung maturity by means of
presence or absence of RDS in babies born out of spontaneous labor and in those born
by elective termination.
Materials and Methods: From November 2019 to November 2021, 80 pregnant women
attending Katuri Medical College in Guntur were studied descriptively. We chose 80
singleton pregnant women in spontaneous labour who had a first trimester ultrasound
and estimated crown rump length. AF samples were taken aseptically during
amniotomy and caesarean section after meticulous hysterotomy from the bulging
membranes. Amniotic fluid optical density measured at 650 nm. All the babies' birth
weights were noted. NICU admission, respiratory distress, etc.
Results: we see few babies born even at 35+ wks are fully mature and do not develop
RDS. Buton the other hand few born even after 40 wks are functionally premature and
develop RDS. Some AFODs match the newborn's functional maturity whereas others
don't. AFOD can assess a fetus's functional maturity. At AFOD 1, newborns are
completely functioning. Babies with AFOD 0.4 are immature and have RDS regardless
of gestational age, while those with AFOD 1+ are fully mature. Those with AFOD 1.75+
had postnatal alterations.
Conclusion: Each foetus has its own maturity potential, which occurs at various
gestational ages and birth weights. AFOD 1.05820.36 babies had functional maturity,
brown skin with little vernix, and no respiratory distress. Amniotic fluid OD.