[Intraamniotic amino acid infusions in chronic placental insufficiency]

12 pregnant women in the gestational weeks 33 to 39 who had symptoms of chronic placental insufficiency received 22 intraamniotic amino acids infusions. 250 ml of a 5 per cent solution of L-amino-acids was infused within 12 hours. During these infusions nearly 80 per cent of the amino acids (according to alpha-amino-nitrogen) were eliminated from the amniotic fluid in 24 hours. The highest elimination rate with 83.4 per cent has been found in cases with intrauterine growth retardation. The smallest rise of urea-nitrogen-level after intraamniotic amino acid infusion has been observed in cases with intrauterine growth retardation and in the second or third infusion. The decrease of amniotic fluid protein content after infusion was on the average about 30 per cent. The interpretation of these results is difficult, because so far not exist examinations of the gastrointestinal resorption and metabolism of amino acids and amniotic fluid proteins by the human fetus. According to our experiences it is possible to supply fetus with severe intrauterine growth retardation with vital substrates on paraplacental way. But the postnatal treatment of the small for dates babies is more effective.