title: [Changes in the lecithin-sphingomyelin relationship in the amniotic fluid following the effect of dexamethasone].
abstract: Amniotic fluid samples were taken by transabdominal amniocentesis from 22 pregnant women in the 32-37th gestation weeks. Determination of lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio showed that in 20 cases the L/S ratio was 2 or less than 2. The patients were treated with i.m. Dexamethason in a total dose of 0,3 mg/kg body weight. Subsequently the L/S determination was repeated. Dexamethason treatment resulted in a significant increase of L/S ratio. In 3 cases out of 22 the L/S ratio was below 2. No neonate developed RDS from this patient material. The authors are convinced that the risk of RDS is an indication for amniocentesis. If the L/S ratio equals 2 or is lower than this value, steroid prophylaxis is recommended.
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D013109:Sphingomyelins; D003907:Dexamethasone
vernacular_title: Veränderungen des Lezithin-Sphingomyelin-Verhältnisses im Fruchtwasser auf Dexamethason-Wirkung.