Testing for fetal lung maturation: a biochemical "window" to the developing fetus.
Fetal lung maturity testing represents a major milestone in perinatology. This article critically evaluates specific controversies regarding the methodologies used to measure pulmonary surfactant in AF and how well each of these techniques performs both in principle and application. The clinical utility of fetal lung maturity testing as it applies to particularly difficult complications of pregnancy is discussed. These technical and clinical issues are framed by the scientific and empiric evidence that is used as the rationale for such testing and its implementation in the effective management of preterm delivery.
Torday
J S
JS
Department of Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Research and Education Institute, University of California-Los Angeles, 1124 West Carson Street, Torrance, CA 90502-2006, USA. jtorday@gcrc.rei.edu
Rehan
V K
VK
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology* / Q000378:metabolism; D038081:Organogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors
D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants