Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a rare and incompletely understood obstetric emergency in which amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair, or other debris enters the mother's blood stream via the placental bed of the uterus and trigger an allergic reaction. This reaction then results in cardiorespiratory (heart and lung) collapse and coagulopathy. It was first formally characterized in 1941. While it is estimated to be the fifth most common cause of maternal mortality in the world, there has been discrepancy with respect to the incidence and mortality of amniotic fluid embolism. One likely explanation for this inconsistency is the lack of sensitive and specific diagnostic studies to definitively identify cases of amniotic fluid embolism, leading to both over- and underreporting.
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