ANALYSIS OF AMNIOTIC-FLUID BY UV DERIVATIVE SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

A direct method for evaluating bilirubin, albumin and oxyhemoglobin in amniotic fluid, is described. The procedure, which uses first and sec ond UV derivative spectrophotometry, was carried out on a number of hu man specimens and laboratory mixtures. Special attention was given to bilirubin analysis when investigating the effects of photodegradation and of contaminating blood obtained by amniocentesis. The bilirubin re sults were also compared with those obtained by currently used colorim etric and extractive methods. The accuracy and precision of the method were estimated.