title: The lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in 132 insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies.
abstract: A total of 228 determinations of L/S ratios were performed in 132 insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies. A declining L/S ratio was observed in 6 per cent of the cases without adverse effects on the fetus. No significant difference in the percentage of mature L/S ratios by weeks of pregnancy was found in the different classes of diabetes. An immature L/S ratio was associated with a significant increase of low Apgar scores. At each stage of pregnancy, there was no significant difference in the percentage of mature L/S ratios according to the sex of the baby nor according to the presence or absence of polyhydramnios. Among the five infants with HMD two had a mature L/S ratio within 2 days of birth. This represents 3 per cent incidence of false-positive results. Despite this finding, we feel that the determination of L/S ratio is a useful advance in the management of diabetic pregnancies.
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D001034:Apgar Score; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006819:Hyaline Membrane Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis*; D006831:Polyhydramnios / Q000175:diagnosis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000517:prevention & control; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D013109:Sphingomyelins