Significance of opaque discolored amniotic fluid at second-trimester amniocentesis

From June 1978 to December 1983, 100 patients with viable pregnancies involving opaque, discolored, second-trimester amniotic fluid were identified. During this period 7018 genetic amniocenteses were performed for an incidence of discolored fluid of 1.4%. Compared with case matched control subjects there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of elevated amniotic fluid alpha-fetoprotein, preterm labor, fetal distress during labor, intrauterine growth retardation, or stillbirth. The rate of spontaneous abortion (7 versus 0%; P less than .05) was increased in the discolored fluid group. The patients with discolored fluid also had an increased incidence of prior vaginal bleeding (P less than .001).