This present paper aims the definition of the amniotic fluid and its physiology standing out cytological aspects and main techniques for laboratorial diagnosis of the most frequent pathologies. The methodology was based on updated bibliographical research relating the cytological aspects with the pregnancy age and laboratorial techniques for diagnosis of the main pathologies in which alterations of the amniotic fluid are observed, concluding that this is an important component of the intrauterine environment. Its production and absorption depend on a series of interdependent mechanisms among the fetus, the placenta, the membranes and the maternal organism. Currently this fluid can supply innumerable information on the fetal health by the use of diverse techniques, among which, amniocentesis and dosage of alpha-fetoprotein, which can detect defects of the neural tube and trissomia of chromosome 21. The analysis of the amniotic fluid strengthens the importance of the adequate prenatal care, being important to relate the laboratorial results to clinical practice.
Amniotic fluid; Diagnosis; Cytology