Amniotic chloride concentrations in twin-pregnancy after intra-amniotic injection of hypertonic saline.

Summary During termination of a twin-pregnancy by saline injection, for a psychiatric indication 20 per cent saline was injected into one amniotic sac and the chloriede concentration in both amniotic fluids was recorded by separate cannulation of the amniotic cavities. Changes in chloride concentration of the maternal serum and fetal heart activity were continuously observed. The fetus in the treated sac died and was born macerated, whereas the other showed signs of life at the delivery. The results show that the composition of the amniotic fluid may change significantly by paraplacental transfer.