title: Intrinsic fluorescence polarization of amniotic fluid: evaluation of human fetal lung maturity.
abstract: This article reports a novel approach for the evaluation of fetal lung maturity based on fluorescence polarization (FP). The technique determines the intrinsic fluorescence polarization ratio (IFPR) of the amniotic fluid (AF). In vitro measurements of the IFPR indicate a clear dichotomy: high values for young pregnancies and low values for mature pregnancies. The new method has the potential to be a noninvasive procedure because the excitation of the AF and the collection of its fluorescence emission can be performed through the intact cervical amniotic membranes.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Engineering Sciences, The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. molcho@ee.bgu.ac.il
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Molcho
authors.forename: Hemy
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Avraham
authors.forename: Rivka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cohen-Luria
authors.forename: Abraham H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Parola
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity / Q000502:physiology*; D005454:Fluorescence Polarization / Q000379:methods*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology*; D011247:Pregnancy