Comparison of amniotic fluid disaturated phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol and lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in predicting the risk of developing neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
One hundred forty-one amniotic fluid samples were analyzed for disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC), phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio. The L/S ratio was measured by two-dimensional thin layer chromatography. Mature levels (positive) were defined as an L/S ratio of 2:1 or more, a DSPC level of 100 micrograms/ml or more and a detectable level of PG. The DSPC value agreed with the L/S ratio in 114 samples (80.9%). Fourteen of 17 infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (82.4%) had immature L/S ratios and immature DSPC levels. RDS developed in 16 of 40 (40%) children with immature L/S ratios, and in 15 of 33 (45.5%) children with immature DSPC levels. The true-positive rates of the L/S ratio and DSPC levels were 99.0 and 98.1%, respectively. PG had a low true-negative rate, as only 17 of 67 (25.4%) samples without detectable levels of PG were associated with RDS. However, when PG was present, it had a 100% predictive value of no-RDS. In conclusion, DSPC is nearly equal to the L/S ratio measured by two-dimensional as concerns diagnostic accuracy. PG is useful as an additional index for predicting lung maturation.
Higuchi
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Akita University School of Medicine, Japan.
Hirano
H
H
Gotoh
K
K
Otomo
K
K
Maki
M
M
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis*; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis*
D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols; D013109:Sphingomyelins