anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy, a quantity of amniotic fluid that enters the maternal blood system during labor and/or delivery, resulting in a systemic inflammatory response syndrome, causing vasospasm, pulmonary hypertension, myocardial damage, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. It is estimated to occur in 1:8000 to 1:83,000 deliveries, but it accounts for up to 18% of maternal deaths. Formerly called amniotic fluid embolism.
