title: The assessment of fetal pulmonary maturity by fluorescence polarization (FP-value) of pooled vaginal amniotic fluid associated with ruptured membranes.
abstract: This prospective study was undertaken to examine the reliability of fluorescence polarization (FP) readings on amniotic fluid collected from the posterior fornix of the vagina after membranes have ruptured. This method was chosen because it is as accurate as the L/S ratio, but it is simpler, faster and requires only 0.5 ml of sample. Forty-seven out of 55 patients were eligible for the study, for a success rate of 85%. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) occurred in one out of 29 neonates with FP in the mature or low risk group. In the high risk group for RDS, 7 out of 12 developed the syndrome. In 11 patients, FP-values obtained from transabdominal amniocentesis were not significantly different from those obtained from pooled vagina amniotic fluid once membranes were ruptured. Analysis of pooled vaginal amniotic fluid is simple, non-invasive and capable of being performed with a high rate of success. FP-values from properly collected pooled vaginal amniotic fluid can be used in the assessment of functional fetal lung maturity.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Runowicz
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Beers
mesh_terms: D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D005454:Fluorescence Polarization; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis; D012306:Risk