[Paraplacental feeding of the fetus]. / Paraplazentare Ernährung des fetus

Amino acids, intraamnially administered, disappear unexpectedly rapidly and relatively uniformly from the amniotic fluid. During a placental insufficiency and thus a simultaneously present intrauterine protein deficiency, the amino acid level in the amniotic fluid decreases especially rapidly whereas it remains practically unchanged for hours following death in utero. This observation suggests that the infused amino acids are utilized by the living fetus. This is supported by a decrease in the glucose concentration and an increase in the pyruvate of the amniotic fluid. According to the experiences obtained until now it seems reasonable to supply the fetus with vital substrates via the paraplacental route.