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A Revaluation of the Ferning Test to Detect Ruptured Membranes
Author(s) -
MRACOG C. Brookes,
BMBS K. Shand,
FRACOG W. R. Jones MD PhD
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1986.tb01583.x
Subject(s) - test (biology) , false negative reactions , antiseptic , medicine , amniotic fluid , obstetrics , pregnancy , biology , pathology , paleontology , fetus , genetics
Summary: The ferning test for the detection of amniotic fluid, when first described, was reported to have no false positive results. Despite this and after initial enthusiasm it has never achieved widespread use. The test is easy to perform but interpretation requires care, and it is necessary to identify potentially confusing crystallization patterns to avoid false positive results. A reevaluation of the test is presented and a hitherto unrecognized false positive reaction due to an antiseptic solution* is reported.