Amniotic fluid sludge – a marker of intra-amniotic infection and histological chorioamnionitis in cervical insufficiency

Abstract

Amniotic fluid sludge is an ultrasound demonstrable hyperechogenic mass close to the uterine cervix and is an independent risk factor for preterm birth and preterm premature rupture of membranes. Cervical insufficiency represents cervical dilatation in the mid-trimester of pregnancy regardless of uterine contractions. It appears to be associated with intraamniotic infection/inflammation. Chorioamnionitis is the inflammation of the fetal membranes (chorion and amnios) and is the consequence of the inflammatory response of the maternal organism to aggression that can be infectious or non-infectious (sterile intraamniotic inflammation). The paper illustrates the association between the amniotic fluid sludge and microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and chorioamnionitis. Conclusion. Amniotic fluid sludge is a marker of intra-amniotic infection and histological chorioamnionitis in pregnant women with cervical insufficiency.