title: Clinical applicability of amniotic fluid tests for fetal pulmonic maturity.
abstract: Recent advances in the understanding of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome have led to a proliferation of amniotic fluid tests for fetal pulmonic maturity. Clinical application of these tests requires a knowledge of reliability, availability, and cost. This review outlines the major features of the most widely utilized pulmonary maturity tests and allows the clinician to make a comparative assessment.
mesh_terms: D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology*; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D013109:Sphingomyelins