title: Thin-layer chromatography for separation of phospholipids in amniotic fluid.
abstract: A method using a 1-dimensional, thin-layer chromatographic technique for the separation of phospholipids in amniotic fluid is described. The phospholipids of major importance in evaluating fetal lung maturity were separated: sphingomyelin, lecithin, and, notably, phosphatidylglycerol. Preliminary clinical results correlate the increasing appearance of phosphatidylglycerol with increasing lecithin : sphingomyelin ratios.
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols / Q000032:analysis; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis*; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols; D010743:Phospholipids; D013109:Sphingomyelins