title: Relation between the amniotic fluid lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio, fetal cord blood corticosteroid levels and the duration of induced labour.
abstract: In serial samples of amniotic fluid from 24 patients in induced labour, the rate of change in the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio correlated significantly with the duration of labour. Cord serum 11-hydroxycorticosteroid levels were lowest in the group of patients in which the L/S rose during labour, and highest in the group in which the L/S ratio fell. Cord serum 11-hydroxycorticosteroid levels correlated positively with the duration of labour. It would seem unlikely that the changes in L/S ratio occurring during labour are mediated by endogenous corticosteroids.
mesh_terms: D015062:11-Hydroxycorticosteroids / Q000097:blood*; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D015062:11-Hydroxycorticosteroids; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D013109:Sphingomyelins