title: The lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in a high-risk obstetric population.
abstract: An experience with the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in a population of high-risk obstetric patients is presented. A wide range of values in ralation to gestational age was found. A delayed rise in L/S ratio was found in Class A diabetes and Rh sensitization but was most striking in Class B through F diabetes. Chronic hypertension alone or in combination with diabetes is associated with an earlier rise in L/S ratio. A poor correlation of L/S ratio and neonatal pulmonary outcome with birthweight and gestational age was found. However, a good correlation between L/S ratio and neonatal pulmonary outcome was apparent. An L/S ratio of over 2 was universally associated with absence of serious RDS, but a low L/S ratio was less precisely predictive.
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D001724:Birth Weight; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000175:diagnosis; D011250:Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / Q000175:diagnosis; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000175:diagnosis; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D012204:Rh-Hr Blood-Group System; D013109:Sphingomyelins