Prediction of fetal lung maturity by use of the Lumadex-FSI test.
We analyzed amniotic fluid from 91 pregnancies (estimated gestational age range 31 to 41 weeks), using the Lumadex-FSI Fetal Lung Maturity test (Beckman Instruments), and also determining phosphatidylglycerol content, the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio, and foam stability index by the "shake test," and compared results with newborn outcome. Five of 64 babies born within 72 h of testing developed hyaline membrane disease. Except for the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio, the predictive value of a negative test was 100% but that of a positive test was less than 50%. Use of all four tests did not offer diagnostic advantage over the use of Lumadex-FSI alone. For the laboratory that infrequently assesses fetal lung maturity, we believe the sealed cassette format of the Lumadex-FSI will permit better quality assurance than the shake test. The Lumadex-FSI test is intended to provide a graded estimate of positive risk for hyaline membrane disease, but more data from different centers and patient populations are needed to establish reliable predictive values.
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006819:Hyaline Membrane Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis
D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols; D013109:Sphingomyelins