title: Use of the drop volume of amniotic fluid in estimating the risk for respiratory distress syndrome in the newborn infant.
abstract: The present study describes the testing and function of the drop-volume method in the analysis of fetal lung maturity with use of amniotic fluid. Elevated surface tension resulting from a lack of surface-active phospholipids (surfactant) is the primary etiologic defect in the development of respiratory distress syndrome. The drop-volume method quantifies the surface tension of amniotic fluid with use of the fact that the volume of a falling drop of liquid is proportional to the quantity of surfactant in the solution. The drop-volume method requires only 2 minutes and 2 ml of amniotic fluid and predicts fetal lung maturity with an accuracy equal to or greater than that of other tests currently in use.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology; D008433:Mathematics; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000032:analysis*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012306:Risk; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis; D013500:Surface Tension
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D013109:Sphingomyelins