title: Is the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio outdated?
abstract: The lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in amniotic fluid is an excellent predictor of fetal lung maturity in most pregnancies but today its value is limited. A review of the use of the L/S ratio service in Manchester from 1975 to 1981 (inclusive) shows a dramatic and consistent fall in the number of requests made over the last 18 months of this period resulting in inconvenience and inefficiency in the laboratory service. Possible explanations for the declining use of the L/S ratio service are discussed with particular reference to St Mary's Hospital, Manchester and a regional re-organization of laboratory assessment of fetal lung maturity is proposed.
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000639:trends; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000639:trends*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D013109:Sphingomyelins