Clinical significance of echogenic amniotic fluid

Purpose. This study aimed to determine the clinical significance of echogenic amniotic fluid. Methods. We prospectively studied 19 twin pregnancies in which the amniotic fluid in 1 sac was anechoic and that in the other sac was echogenic. Morphologic characteristics of amniotic fluid were assessed from samples taken at amniocentesis or upon delivery within 48 hours after sonographic examination. Results. In twins with echogenic amniotic fluid, assessment revealed clear fluid in 6 cases (32%), vernix caseosa in 12 (63%), and meconium in 1 (5%). In cotwins with anechoic amniotic fluid, assessment revealed clear fluid in 9 cases (47%), vernix caseosa in 6 (32%), and meconium in 4 (21%). Conclusions. Echogenic amniotic fluid on prenatal sonography is not predictive of meconium.