Fetal deglutition: a study of the anencephalic fetus

The deglutition of amniotic fluid in utero by the anencephalic fetus is a controversial subject. We have studied 7 anencephalic pregnancies complicated by hydramnion in their third trimester of gestation. Fetographies revealed that 6 out of 7 anencephalic monsters showed signs of swallowing of the contrast material after only 3 h. The baby which was born dead could not swallow at all. The fact that the babies studied swallowed amniotic fluid shortly after injection of contrast media seems to confirm the opinion that fetal deglutition contributes only little to the mechanism of amniotic fluid volume regulation.