Amniotic fluid tests for fetal lung maturation--the good, the bad, and the promising.
OBJECTIVE
To assess promising laboratory tests for fetal lung maturity (FLM).


METHODS
Professional literature.


METHODS
Survey of literature.


RESULTS
Traditional biochemical tests for FLM such as the LSR are reliable if performed properly but are difficult to perform, costly, and not widely available; most are not good predictors of respiratory distress syndrome.  Many of the newer biochemical and biophysical FLM assays are more reliable, faster, require less personnel time, and are readily available.


CONCLUSIONS
The development of laboratory tests to measure the presence or effects of pulmonary surfactant in amniotic fluid has contributed greatly to the management of premature deliveries; newer tests show promise but require more extensive evaluation.
Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
J F
JF
Chapman
D000372:Agglutination Tests; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D002452:Cell Count; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D003124:Colorimetry; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity; D005454:Fluorescence Polarization; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology*; D010715:Phosphatidylglycerols / Q000032:analysis; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000032:analysis*