The accuracy of lamellar body count and lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in the prediction of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome: a meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the performance of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio and the lamellar body count in the prediction of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.


METHODS
Meta-analysis.


METHODS
Six studies reporting on the performance of both the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio and the lamellar body count published between January 1966 and August 1999.


METHODS
We performed a computerised MEDLINE search to identify articles published on the subject. For the six selected studies, prevalence of respiratory distress syndrome and sensitivity and specificity of the tests in the prediction of respiratory distress syndrome were calculated, and overall performance was assessed by constructing summary receiver-operating characteristic curves.


RESULTS
The constructed summary receiver-operating characteristic curves showed the lamellar body count to perform slightly better than the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in the prediction of respiratory distress syndrome (P= 0.13).


CONCLUSIONS
Since the lamellar body count can be performed quickly and since it is less expensive than the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio, we recommend the former as the test of first choice in the assessment of fetal lung maturity.
Wijnberger
L D
LD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Huisjes
A J
AJ
Voorbij
H A
HA
Franx
A
A
Bruinse
H W
HW
Mol
B W
BW
D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D012372:ROC Curve; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D013109:Sphingomyelins