title: Amniotic fluid phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine phosphorus as predictors of fetal lung maturity.
abstract: The contents of phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine phosphorus in amniotic fluid (10,000 X g pellets) were studied as predictors of fetal lung maturity. The presence of phosphatidylglycerol predicted the absence of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome with 99% probability. When phosphatidylglycerol was absent, phosphatidylcholine phosphorus was a reliable predictor if measured 3 to 7 days before delivery. The probability that respiratory distress syndrome would not occur was 94% when phosphatidylcholine phosphorus was greater than 6. When measurement was performed within 2 days of delivery, the probability that respiratory distress syndrome would not occur fell to 69%. As measured in amniotic fluid, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine phosphorus are reliable antenatal predictors of fetal pulmonary maturity and, therefore, are useful in the management of a number of obstetric conditions.
mesh_terms: D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis*; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011336:Probability; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols